BANDON - Most of the players at this week's Curtis Cup had never seen the South Coast before this month. But one American team member has a direct family tie with the area and has been here often.

Paige Mackenzie just graduated from the University of Washington and lives in Yakima.

But her parents, Hugh and Caren, spent the first years of their married life in Coos Bay, where her dad was a pharmacist.

Hugh Mackenzie grew up in Reedsport. Frank Mackenzie, Hugh's dad and Paige's grandfather, still lives in the town and the family has made many trips to the South Coast.

“When I was little, we came down to visit Reedsport a lot and we'd go out to the beach,” Paige said.

Later, the visits included trips to Reedsport's Forest Hills Country Club.

“I played Forest Hills a lot when I visited my grandpa,” Paige said, recalling the days of her youth that have provided cherished memories for herself and her Frank.

One of her earliest competitive golf experiences was when she was 8 years old and participated in the Umpqua Dairy Juniors series, which includes tournaments at Forest Hills, the Coquille Valley Elks Lodge and Coos Country Club.

Now Paige and her brother, Brock, sometimes like to fish when they come to the South Coast.

But golf has always been a central theme for both siblings.

Paige had an outstanding senior season at Washington, winning the Pac-10 championship by four strokes and the NCAA West Regional by eight shots. She was eighth at the NCAA Championships and was a second-team All-American.

Prior to her senior year, she showed her abilities against the top female golfers in the world by finishing in a tie for 13th in the 2005 U.S. Women's Open.

Brock, too, had a successful career at the University of Washington, and he was selected for the United States team for the 2003 Walker Cup, the men's equivalent to the Curtis Cup.

“It's kind of unique to have both of us on the teams,” Paige said.

Frank Mackenzie, who is 88 and retired from his practice as a dentist, is proud of both his grandkids.

“It's just terrific,” he said. “I played golf all my life. I'm tickled to death that we have two youngsters - well, not youngsters anymore - who play well.”

Paige's trip to watch Brock in the 2003 matches at Ganton Golf Club in North Yorkshire, England, have helped spur her own excitement as a player this week.

“It was special over there because everyone there was so nice,” she said.

Paige is getting that same feeling this week.

“Everyone around here has been so excited,” she said of the people at Bandon Dunes. “I hope it spreads to the community.”

Even though she is familiar with the South Coast, Paige had never been to Bandon Dunes before being chosen for the Curtis Cup team. She is impressed with the resort.

“The courses are amazing and so difficult, especially in these (windy) conditions,” she said.