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?
My best round of this year was the second round of the Junior Girls Champion of Champions at Woodhall Spa. I didn’t have a great first round – I was playing okay but nothing was going my way at all so I just had to stick at it. To be honest, I thought I would have been out of it when I went in but, when I saw the leaderboard, I realised I was only a couple of shots behind. I went out in the afternoon telling myself to just play freely and commit to every decision because I wasn’t out of it. My mum was caddying for me that day and she was amazing. She kept me going and I just played so freely. I was pleased that I came back with a four under, especially after my first round. When I found out I had won, it was an incredible feeling and it made it even more special that I had done it with my mum.
2) Your best shot of the year and why?
I think my best shot of the year was my third shot on the 18th at Fulford Golf Club in the second qualifying round of the R&A British Girls. I was 3 over par after 16 holes and I had seen on the leaderboard, after 13 holes, that I probably needed to be about 2 over in that round to make it through to the knockout stages. I then birdied the 17th and just wanted to make par going down the last to have a good chance of getting through. I played it safe and stuck to my plan with my second shot, not going for the green and risking anything. I had 64 yards and I put it to 2 feet. I then holed my putt for a birdie. I think it was my best shot because I knew how much it mattered and there were a lot of people in the clubhouse watching, so I was nervous but I managed to hit a good shot.
3) The best shot you saw and why?
The best shot I saw was in the R&A British Boy’s Final at Ganton Golf Club on the 16th hole. One of the finalists had hit his tee shot into the thick rough on the left of the fairway and was completely blocked out by a tree too. However, he made it look easy by hitting it straight onto the green and making par!
4) Your favourite moment of 2023 (this could be personal or something completely random but golf related)?
My two favourite moments of 2023 were winning the Junior Girls Champion of Champions and winning Northern Counties Match week with Yorkshire. I absolutely love playing in a team, especially when its for Yorkshire. The team atmosphere was so special. The memories and friendships that I have made playing for Yorkshire are ones that will last a very long time. I am very grateful that I have had the opportunity to play for my County and for all of the support that the Yorkshire Ladies have given me since I was little.
5) Your hopes and ambitions for 2024?
My hopes and ambitions for 2024 are to finish top 10 in a national women’s competition and get my golf ready for America. I am really looking forward to going to The College of Charleston and I am really excited to take every opportunity and enjoy every experience along the way.
6) One thing you would change about about golf for next season?
Something I would change about my golf would be my game from 100 yards in. I would like to be a lot better at these distances as I believe that they are what really makes the difference.