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 2022
‘So had to prove to myself that I could cope with the pressure and produce a good score rather than drop away’
1) Your best round of the year and why?
That came in the North of England U-16s Strokeplay Championship at Heswall. In the third of four rounds I shot five under par. I was tied for the lead in a big competition with lots of talented players around me (including England and Switzerland U-16s National players) so had to prove to myself that I could cope with the pressure and produce a good score rather than drop away. I was -5 on the front nine then kept it steady to finish on that score overall.
2) Your best shot of the year and why?
Again that happened in the North of England U-16s Strokeplay Championship but this time in round one at the 13th, which is a par four. I was playing ok (nothing special) at +2 after 12 holes then holed my second shot (9 iron) for an eagle which got my round going, gave me more confidence and helped me to shoot -3 for the first round. On the last five holes I went par-eagle-par-par-birdie.
3) The best shot you saw and why?
Emily Pederson in the Solheim Cup (watched on TV). She was three up with three to play against Danielle Kang then lost 16 and 17. She birdied the 18th with a great putt to seal the outright European victory.
4) Your favourite moment of 2021 (this could be personal or something completely random but golf related)?Holing a four-foot putt on the last hole in the final round at Heswall, knowing that I’d done all I could to put a good score on the card; running to give my dad a big hug then later finding out that it was enough and I’d won! I also think a memorable moment was making my debut for Yorkshire first team – playing one game in between mock exams – and winning my match 7&5. I also loved meeting and being part of the team who were all so lovely to me.
5) Your hopes and ambitions for 2022?
• To play for England. (I was called up to play for the England U-16s against Ireland in October but it was cancelled due to Covid issues!)
• To become more consistent and finish top 10 in some of the major competitions
• To continue making more friends from golf. I’ve met so many nice people so far including girls from Switzerland and Spain.
6) One thing you would change about about golf for next season?
1. Get the BBC to show more ladies golf on TV in order to raise the profile of ladies golf and help people to realise how good ladies are!
2. It would be good if competition distances and travelling/accommodation costs weren’t so high for my parents!