Hannah McCook is hoping to make the most of her local knowledge as she gears up for her first outing in a Tartan Tour Order of Merit event at the 36-hole Challenge over Macdonald Spey Valley.
The 32-year-old, who has embarked on her PGA training under a new Tournament Player category, does plenty of coaching at the Aviemore resort while her playing experience of the Dave Thomas-designed championship course stretches back to her junior days.
She may know Spey Valley like the back of her hand, but it took her a while to get used to parrying and jousting with a formidable golfing foe.
“When I first played it in Highland schools events, I used to be terrified of it,” said McCook of a venue which is returning to the Tartan Tour schedule for the first time since it hosted the Northern Open in 2020.
“I had plenty of disasters there and I still see them every time I play it. I’ve played it loads of times although probably not with a tournament card in my hand since I was 17.
“I’m well used to its challenges now, though. It’s a really tough course and a great test. It’s nice, too, to have a tournament right on my doorstep.”
McCook has been sharpening her competitive edge with a couple of appearances on the Rose Ladies Series at Southport & Ainsdale and Formby Ladies.
“I finished tied seventh at Southport & Ainsdale and that was my first real tournament round since last October, so I was pretty happy,” added McCook, who was a winner on the Rose Ladies Series back in 2023.
“Doing my PGA training has given me a fresh outlook on playing. I’m way busier with my coaching than I thought I’d be and that’s great.
“Every day it seems like there’s someone saying, ‘can I get a lesson?’ It’s brilliant. I went to Southport and didn’t really think about my own game too much. I just enjoyed it and it was pretty solid.”
McCook forms part of a strong field for the opening Order of Merit event of the campaign on May 6-7 and will be joined in the line-up by Tartan Tour powerhouses like Craig Lee, Graeme Robertson and Chris Maclean.
