In 1957, at the age of 14, Bailey played for England in the annual
England–Scotland girls match at
North Berwick and reached the quarter-finals of the following
Girls Amateur Championship before losing to
Ruth Porter. In 1959 she won the
British Girls' Stroke-play Championship at Whitecraigs, an under-21 event, by a stroke from Jean Letham. Bailey had an exceptional season in 1961. In April she reached the final of the
French junior championship losing to
Brigitte Varangot, three years her senior, in the final. She reached the final of the
Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship at
Carnoustie, losing 7&6 to
Marley Spearman. She had beaten
Claudine Cros at the 19th hole in the semi-finals. In August she won the
British Girls' Stroke-play Championship for a second time, at Helensburgh, by four strokes from
Ann Irvin. Three weeks later she won the
Girls Amateur Championship at
Beaconsfield beating
Jean Roberts 3&2 in the final. In addition she made her debut for Great Britain & Ireland in the
Vagliano Trophy and for England in the
Women's Home Internationals. Bailey was selected for the 1962
Curtis Cup in
Colorado. The British lost heavily winning just one of the nine 36-hole matches. Bailey was the only British player to win a match, beating
Judy Bell 8&7 in the singles. In September 1962 she announced that she was retiring from international and tournament golf. Bailey made a return to regional events in 1966. In 1968 she returned to national events and was selected for the
Espirito Santo Trophy team in Australia. She also played in the
Women's Home Internationals. In early 1972 she won the
Avia Foursomes in partnership with
Belle Robertson. In November 1971 she was selected for the 1972
Curtis Cup team. She played with Belle Robertson in the foursomes, winning one match and halving the other, but lost to
Lancy Smith in her only singles match. Bailey was the non-playing captain of the
Curtis Cup team in 1984, 1986 and 1988, Great Britain & Ireland winning in 1986 and 1988. ==Personal life==