It’s been a quite a year for amateur golf in Great Britain and we asked some our leading players what were their stand-out moments and also asked them to look ahead to 2024
1) Your best round of the year and why?
This would be the final round of the Suffolk Ladies County Championships in May. It was the best golf I felt I had played since the year before. I had confidence in myself, my ability and I felt that every shot that I hit I had the confidence and belief that I could do it. It’s probably the first time I have thought that about my golf whilst playing in a competition; and to go on and win the event for the first time was special. I think this round really helped me to start believing in my golf and spurred me on throughout the season, when I was having a bad round that I could turn it around and make something of it.
2) Your best shot of the year and why?
My shot of the year also comes from the last round of Suffolk Ladies County Championship. I hit a lot of good shots in that round to keep myself in the game. However, having made a great half at the 16th hole I found myself one down with two holes to play so I needed to win them both to take the trophy. My opponent had made the green in two landing on the front section of the green, but the flag was at the back. This meant that I needed to hit a good shot so I could have a chance at making a birdie to win the hole and get back to A/S going down the last hole. With a six iron in hand, I knew the shot I needed to hit, so as I went through my routine addressed the golf ball and struck the best shot of the day. The ball was flying straight at the flag with a bit of draw, it pitched middle green and rolled up to the flag and finished about eight feet from the flag. There was a massive cheer from the crowd, so I could tell the crowd were as impressed with it. My opponent three putted and my putt was conceded so I was able to win the hole and go in to the last with the moment I needed to get the win.
3) The best shot you saw and why?
I had the pleasure of playing with a lady who achieved a hole in one. Whilst playing on holiday in Turkey, we were paired up with a couple from Jersey. The wife achieved a hole in one on the 12th hole, after she teed off the ball was heading straight for the pin, after reaching the green we began to look for the ball. To no avail I decided to look in the hole and there the ball was. I shouted with excitement that the ball was in the hole. It was lovely to see the excitement on the lady’s face when she confirmed that it was her ball in the hole and she’d realised what she’d achieved.
4) Your favourite moment of 2023 (this could be personal or something completely random but golf related)?
This would be at our club championships in May. I retained my trophy from last year which was special itself but what made it my favourite moment of 2023 is that my mum won the nett trophy in the event as well. It was special to win both the trophies together. It was special to watch my mum win the trophy as she didn’t realise, she had come first. It was also special because she has watched and supported me for so many years so to be able to do the same for her when she won, was really was special.
5) Your hopes and ambitions for 2024?
Retain my county championship trophy as well as winning the club championship trophy as that would make it three years in a row. It would also be great for my ongoing confidence and belief in my golf. I would also like to play and make the cut in an England golf event.
6) One thing you would change about about golf for next season?
Over the winter and into next year I would like to improve the strike on my golf shots. I know that improving this will help my golf to become consistent and will help me to achieve my hopes and ambitions for 2024. Changing this in my golf will also help with my yardages, making my scores more consistent.