ELEANOR Pilgrim will begin her serious bid for a place in next year's Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team to take on the Americans in the warmth of South Africa in March, writes Chris Smart.

The 25-year-old former Welsh titleholder from St Pierre is one of 12 LGU elite squad members who are going to South Africa to get used to playing in heat and will also hone their competitive skills.

They leave these shores on March 7 and return just before Easter. While there, they take part in the South African Open Championship in Cape Town, play two Test matches and against a team of professionals in Johannesburg.

Pilgrim is one of three players from Wales in the party, the others being Welsh champion Becky Brewerton and Sarah Jones, holder of the national girl's title.

Pilgrim was bitterly disappointed this year not to be in the Vagliano Trophy side which took on the Continent of Europe in Venice in July - but unfortunately she under achieved when it really mattered.

Now she plans for one big push to get into the Curtis Cup side facing the Americans in Pittsburgh in August - and the trip to South Africa could be vital in the build up.