From highers to home internationals: Melissa Keay’s success on and off the green

Published on: 19/08/2025

For any student-athlete, balancing academic rigour with athletic excellence is an undeniable challenge. For Melissa, this year has been a masterclass in exactly that. Her season began not on the fairway, but in the classroom, where she navigated the demanding schedule of sitting five higher SQA exams in May. Her dedication paid off, as she achieved a perfect sweep, earning all five qualifications.

With her academic commitments successfully behind her, Melissa transitioned seamlessly to the golf course. Her form was indisputable as she represented Scotland in an U17 international competition at Enniscrone in Ireland, securing a perfect record of four points from four matches. This momentum carried her into the Scottish Women’s Amateur Tour at Dalmahoy, where she clinched the victory in the Scratch Category.

Her strong play continued at the Scottish Women’s Amateur at Western Gailes, where she advanced to the last 8 of the competition. Following this, a strong performance at the Pollock ProDream Open saw her take a well-earned 2nd place. Her precision on the course was further highlighted during the Scottish Girls Championship, where she equalled the course record, demonstrating her skill and ability to focus under pressure.

August brought the honour of representing Scotland once more, this time at the prestigious Home Internationals in Cork. Playing in five of the six matches, Melissa contributed to Scotland’s victories over Ireland and Wales, showcasing her consistent performance with a record of one win, two halves, and two losses in a high-stakes team environment.

As the competitive season winds down and the upcoming school year looms, Melissa’s schedule remains full of opportunity. Looking ahead, her highlights include the Machrie 36-hole Competition and the European Junior Open in November. She is particularly looking forward to the Murray Sharp Foundation’s Golf Day Fundraiser at the end of this month, which will be a chance to celebrate the support that has fueled her incredible season. Her journey this year proves that with dedication, it’s possible to excel both on and off the course.