Lothians star Jane Turner still aiming to tee up South African trip

The Sunshine Ladies Tour, a pro circuit, had been due to start last week before the launch of the new campaign was postponed until April.

That has given Dalmahoy-attached Turner more time to raise funds for her trip as she bids to add to successes in the 2019 Supersport Ladies Challenge then the South African Women's Masters last year.“Getting the message that the Sunshine Ladies Tour had been postponed until April had both positive and negative feelings for me.

“The most obvious of the positives is that I can put the high risks of travelling on hold for now, and stay hopeful that the problems and drama from the pandemic will settle down by the end of March, when it will be time to go to South Africa.

“The negatives are also driven from the lockdown regulations the pandemic has caused in Scotland.

“Right now, with most indoor golf venues closed and the snow keeping most golf courses closed, it’s making my golf practice difficult because all of the training facilities I usually use are closed.

“I’m trying to be resourceful but, hopefully, as we move away from the Scottish winter weather and head towards spring then I’ll be back out on the courses shortly.”

Turner is aiming to use the Sunshine Ladies Tour as a springboard for a big season as she hopes to eventually realise her dream of securing a card for the Ladies European Tour.

“The frustration of the postponement of our tournaments is also eased a little by the fact that it gives me more time to try and raise money on the GoFundMe page I set up in December, with the hope of donations helping me to fund competing on the Sunshine Ladies Tour,” she added.

“My income is primarily from tournament winnings and this was obviously put to a halt after playing my last tournament in March 2020 and the rest of my season being cancelled. “Without this income and no financial sponsorship, I’m struggling to source the money to cover the expenses of travelling in South Africa, which I expect to accumulate to over £5,500.

“I’m very thankful for the support that people have given me so far, and really hope that the extended time I now have before I travel creates a greater opportunity for people to offer donations.

“I know that 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, not just myself, so no matter how large or small the donation, I will be extremely grateful.

“With the situation that not only Scotland is in, but the world as a whole, it's difficult to keep your hopes up and be positive but despite this I’ll keep moving forwards, as I have so far, by using the Sunshine Ladies Tour as my light at the end of the tunnel.

“With everyone’s support and the great team I have around me, I’m looking to bring home even greater results than last year. Then hopefully the LET Access Series can get back up and running in Europe and I can progress from there.”

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