Annabel Wilson: Curtis Cup dream alive for Lurgan teenager

Annabel Wilson participated in last year's World Invitational Tournament

The Curtis Cup postponement until next year has made Annabel Wilson even more determined to be part of the team of Great Britain and Ireland that will face 2021 the United States will record.

The match has been moved due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Lurgan golfer had hoped to make her debut at Conwy in Wales in June, after being named in the first panel of 10 for the amateur match play

The final line-up of eight players for the tournament was yet to be named.

"I knew it was coming. June was just too fast, but it's definitely something to look forward to until next year," said the 18-year-old.

"At least the event has not been canceled, only postponed. The Curtis Cup is the pinnacle of amateur golf and I will do my best to get on the team."

& # 39; It got crazy there & # 39;

Annabel's first year in college in the United States was cut short by the Covid-19 outbreak and she returned to Lurgan from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on March 19 .

"It got crazy over there – I was one of the last members of the team to come home and it was the best decision," she explained.

"It's a lot to take in, but all you can do now is sit tight, stay home and wait for it to blow over. Hopefully sooner than later.

"I think in the season I was denied being called off – many of us were – it was a tough pill to swallow, but we have to move on, accept and look at the bigger picture. "

The County Armagh native is a two-time Irish girl champion, who won the Irish Women's Close Championship at Woodbrook last year.

Wilson competed for Ireland during the Women & # 39; s World Amateur Team Championships 2018

A rising star of the Irish golf

She is considered one of the rising stars of the Irish golf and enjoys the college life at UCLA.

"I quickly settled in. They always say the first semester is the hardest with home sickness, but I've adapted very well. The Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) has certainly helped in that regard", said Wilson.

"I was only 13 when I had my first long haul flight, golfing for Ireland, so I was well traveled. I liked the opportunities at ILGU and made me a more rounded person.

"I just enjoy traveling all over America. I was lucky enough to have a hole in one in November during a tournament in Hawaii.

"Playing there was such a great experience. They said the Kohala course was not the most scenic, but it was breathtaking. Colorado was another great location – playing at 8,000 feet above sea level."

& # 39; I haven't touched a golf club in three weeks & # 39;

Wilson & # 39; s schedule has been suspended for the time being, but she has set out a preliminary schedule for when the season starts again.

"I planned my summer around three major events: the British amateur, the European team championship and the European individual tournament, then back to the US in early August, but we'll have to wait and see," she explained. .

"I'm lucky that we live in the country here in Northern Ireland and that there is a lot of land. I have a net and mat so I can hit drivers and I have an eight meter long pit strip

"I haven't touched a golf club in three weeks and I'm starting to miss it – I just hung up the net and prepared the pit strip for use. "

Wilson, who turns 19 later this month, has also achieved success in team competition and won a bronze medal for Ireland alongside Leona Maguire and Olivia Mehaffey at the 2016 World Championship Amateur Team in Mexico.

Tandragee's Olivia Mehaffey hopes to play in her third Curtis Cup ibn 2021

"I saw quite a few Olivia with her in the state of Arizona playing a similar schedule and of course we live quite close in Northern Ireland Leona is great and it was really cool to be on the same team as her, "added Wilson.

"I think the future of the Irish women's wave is very bright – we have both Leona and Stephanie Meadow on the LPGA Tour and I think there will be others on tour like Olivia very soon.

"Leona and Stephanie have shown that they can compete at the highest level. I hope to join them one day.

"I think being in the US is the right move. You play and test yourself against the best players on different courses with different grasses. By playing here you develop the skills you need to play at the highest level.

"I got my first acquaintance with professional life when I played at the Handa Invitational in Galgorm last August. It was a great experience. I was not nervous and loved hanging out in the player lounge. I did well in the first round and it was great to see Stephanie win. "

Off the golf course, Wilson is an avid supporter of Liverpool FC, but she fears they may have to wait another season before finally landing that elusive league title.

" I honestly don't think that this season will be completed, but there is always next year. We might as well do it. After 30 years, another won't make a difference! She said.