Lady Golfer Interview: Beth Allen (part two)
You have had a lot of close shaves in terms of your first win, is the second at The Buckinghamshire in 2012 your biggest regret?
That was the worst feeling that I have ever had! It was heartbreaking but I have learnt from that and have had opportunities since then and handled things differently.
I know what it takes now and I am comfortable. I am not trying to keep my card, I’m trying to win and be one of the best players out there.
How is your brother?
He is doing really well now. I was overwhelmed that people thought it was such a nice thing to do but, at the end of the day, it is my brother. I spoke to the doctor a lot and he knew what I did for a living; he said it wasn’t intrusive and it was almost like having your appendix taken out. There was an 85 per cent chance of success.
Where were you when you found out that you were compatible?
I was in the car driving to the first round of the Australian Open when they told me that I could do it. I shot a 68 as I was in a pretty good mood!
It was obviously a big deal for my brother but it all happened really fast. What was the actual day like?
We were there at 5am and all of us were nervous, my mum and sister too. It was obviously a big deal for my brother but it all happened really fast.
The good thing is there is no waiting around and we found out straightaway that it had worked.
How long does it take to recover from that type of operation?
It happened on March 1 and I was playing in May. It took a really long time to see if we were compatible as I was in and out of the country a lot, they took a lot of samples and pretty detailed stuff.
(With typical understated modesty Beth had to twice go through three days of 24-hour urine collection, a CT scan of all her organs, two electro cardiograms and, as she says, a lot of blood work.)
Do you have any after effects today?
It is not an issue for me. Some people are born with one kidney and don’t even know it, the only thing I have noticed is that I drink tons more water.
After the op I would be stood over a putt and I was not really worried about the outcome, it is helpful to have a different outlook and to realise properly that golf is my job and not life or death.
You come from a golfing family, your dad was a pro and your brother works at a golf course. Who gives the shots when you play your brother?
I give the shots! We played last week and I didn’t give him any as I was coming back from a break and I absolutely waxed him. I will give him something like seven shots next time.
(She won again).
For part one of the interview click here
