Melissa Reid was a member of the GB&I team at the 2006 Curtis Cup; a member of the 2005 European PING Junior Solheim Cup Team; the 2007 Commonwealth Team and the 2007 Vagliano Team. Titles that she won include the 2004 and 2005 English Girls' Championship, the 2006 and 2007 Helen Holm Trophy; the 2007 St Rule Trophy and the 2007 British Amateur Stroke play Championship at Conway GC.
She was Britain's leading amateur in 2007 and also won the Smyth Salver as the leading amateur at the 2007 Ricoh Women's British Open, on the Old Course at St Andrews, where she finished tied for 16th.
In 2009, Melissa recorded 8 top ten finishes. She posted a season-best of 2nd at the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open, tied for third at both the Women's Australian Open and HypoVereinsbank Ladies German Open, tied for 4th at the Tenerife Ladies Open, tied for 5th at the S4/C Wales Ladies Championship, 6th at the AIB Ladies Irish Open, tied for 8th at the UNIQA Ladies Golf Open and tied for 9th at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. She finished 7th on the Henderson Money List with season's earnings of 168,749.67 Euro from 14 events played.
In 2008 Melissa earned seven top 10 finishes in her first full season as a professional. She was second three times, at the ABN AMRO Ladies Open in Holland, the Oxfordshire Ladies English Open and at the Nykredit Masters in Denmark. She said that she rated her experience in Denmark as the highlight, when she played alongside her childhood heroine Annika Sorenstam and eventual winner Martina Eberl in the final round. Melissa finished four shots ahead of Annika at the event.
Melissa did not have a full card at the beginning of the season but was offered an invitation to play at the MFS Women's Australian Open at Kingston Heath Golf Club, where she finished in 3rd place. Her result catapulted her into the top 20 places on the New Star Money List, where she remained all year, which allowed her to gain entries into all of the other 2008 events.
Her other top 10 finishes were T10th at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, T5th at the Tenerife Ladies Open and T7th at the Dubai Ladies Masters. She finished the 2008 season in 12th place on the New Star Money List with earnings of €136,606.02.
In Dubai, she was crowned 2008 Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year, in association with the Bill Johnson Trophy and presented with the award by Annika Sorenstam.
Melissa missed out on earning her card at LET Qualifying School in 2007 but was convinced that the time was right to turn professional. She then played in the Dubai Ladies Masters on a sponsor's invitation and finished tied for 35th place. She is aiming to receive sponsor's invitations to play on Tour in 2008.
Career Highlights
2008 Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year, in association with the Bill Johnson Trophy. 2nd three times in 2008, at the ABN AMRO Ladies Open in the Netherlands, the Oxfordshire Ladies English Open and the Nykredit Masters in Denmark.
Personal
Started playing golf at the age of 11 after she could no longer play football with the boys. Hobbies and interests include football, snowboarding, tennis, seeing friends. Reid credits Annika Sorenstam, her parents, her coach Dave Ridley and Sir Clive Woodward as the individuals most influencing her career.
Lives in Breadsall Village, Derby and is attached to Chevin Golf Club.
