Wright on! Katie chasing her grand slam

STRANRAER’S Katie Wright is chasing an amazing grand slam when she and partner Jackie Hart tee it up today for the second consecutive year at the grand finals of The Daily Mail Foursomes. Wright has had an incredible few months — triumphing in the Wigtownshire Ladies Championship, Galloway Ladies County Championship and South West of Scotland Ladies Championship, as well as being crowned club champion for the seventh time. Now the 23-year-old has her sights firmly set on winning the biggest amateur golf competition in the world at the challenging Slaley Hall. Only 16 women’s and men’s teams have made it to the finals at the celebrated Northumberland course from an initial entry of more than 3,000 pairs from across England, Scotland and Wales. Wright and Hart have a chance to improve on last year when they were knocked out in the last 16 on finals day. The Scottish duo have battled their way through seven knockout rounds and Hart, 54 said: ‘We know what it’s all about this time. We would love to come back with the trophy. We’re focused on winning it, but to get here is a great achievement. We’re fantastic friends, with a great age difference. We can say to one another: “Get your act together,” without anyone taking offence.’ Wright, a plus-one golfer, admitted: ‘Nothing fazes me. I just get on with it. This tournament means a lot to us. We had the notion of play hard and try to get through again. The aim is to get past the first match.’ Also making a second appearance in the finals are former England cricket internationals Janet Tedstone and Linda Burnley from Yorkshire club Willow Valley, who reached the semi-final nine years ago. There are two family duos taking part — Northumberland father and son Rod and Joe Henderson from Alnwick, plus brothers Matthew Dann and James Tiltman from Sedlescombe in Sussex. Dann said: ‘Fortunately we get on well and we’re both calm. We’ve done a bit of research on the course. ‘It will be a great experience regardless, but winning is on our mind.’ The round of 16 and quarter-finals take place today on the Hunting course with the semi-finals and finals tomorrow.