Bedfordshire prospect played in English event

Eyemouth-born Alistair Collin and his daughter Laura, born in England, at the weekend Helen Holm Scottish women's open stroke-play tournament (Cal Carson Golf Agency image, all rights reserved).

Scot's daughter Laura can't

play for Scotland now

Up-and-coming English player Laura Collin, one-handicap member at John O’Gaunt Golf Club, Sandy in Bedfordshire – about 50 miles north of London on the A1, could have been a contender for a place in the Scotland women’s golf team.
Could have been … until she played in the English women’s closed stroke-play championship.
Until then, Laura, born in England 21 years ago on June 12, had the choice of playing for Scotland or England as her dad, Alistair, was born at Eyemouth. Laura's image left is Cal Carson Golf Agency copyright, all rights reserved.
Once a girl has played in a closed championship of any of the home countries, she can only play amateur international golf for that country.
Alistair Collin, caddieing for his daughter at the Helen Holm Scottish women’s open amateur stroke-play championship at Troon, revealed that he himself played for Scotland in the boys’ home internationals of the 1970s.
“Sandy Lyle was in the England boys’ team because his father was a pro in England and the family lived there,” recalls Alistair. “Nick Faldo was also in the England line-up. In the Scotland team apart from myself were David Robertson from Dunbar and Brian Marchbank.
“Never really thought about Laura’s qualification to play for Scotland through me. She regards herself as English with a Scottish father so that was that.”