That's the Pacific Ocean in the background as Louise Fleming tees off at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club in California - lucky girl! (says Editor).

Former Under-21 champion

Louise Fleming turns

pro in California

Louise Fleming, the Kelso girl who won the Scottish Under-21 girls’ open amateur stroke –play championship at West Kilbride in 2005, has turned professional in the United States.
Louise, who will be 24 on September 13, is an assistant pro at Saratoga Country Club in California. She will start her training under the US PGA programme in November after the standard six-month probationary period.
Louise is a clever girl indeed - she graduated on May 1 with a Masters degree in Criminal Justice from Jacksonville State University, Alabama, having also graduated in August 2007 with a Bachelor degree in forensic science.
“I really enjoyed studying criminal justice but deep down I always wanted to get back into golf so I applied for this job as an assistant pro in Saratoga, California – and got it,” said Louise whose American college golf career was cut short by a back injury during her senior (fourth) year.
“I am in change of the junior development programme at the club. I teach kids from age 6 to 13 who are mostly beginners. I also help with junior camps at the club. We have three week-long camps during the summer months.
“I took the US PGA player ability test a week or two ago, which I needed to pass to get into the US PGA programme. I played it at San Jose municipal golf course. It’s a par 72. I scored 67 and 74 for a three under par total of 141.

"I needed to score 15 over standard scratch, which is 71, or better, to pass. I tied for the top total and was the only female playing. Of the 127 people who took the test with me, only six passed and were able to get into the PGA programme.
“I have to work for six months in the industry before I can apply to start the actual training programme which means I will be able to start in the middle of November.”
Louise's home club when she was based in Scotland was the Roxburghe.

"Since moving out to California I have been playing a lot of golf and my back's been fine. I received treatment for the injury when I was at Jacksonville State University and it has got a lot better.

"I played the Monterey Peninsula Country Club (pictured above). It's next to Pebble Beach - I am hoping to get a game there soon! It's expensive but will be worth it - I hope!" says Louise.

"I also played Harding Park where the Presidents Cup is going to be staged this year."