SCOTTISH GOLF HAS LONG HAD A STRING OF SUCCESSFUL MALE AMATEUR GOLFERS WHO HAVE SUCCEEDED ON THE WORLD STAGE AS AMATEURS AND THEN ENTERED THE PRO RANKS ON THE PGA AND EUROPEAN TOURS. FROM GORDON SHERRY TO RICHIE RAMSAY, FROM BRADLEY NEIL TO GRANT FORREST AND BEYOND, BUT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS A GOLDEN GENERATION OF YOUNG FEMALE SCOTTISH GOLFERS HAS EMERGED, AND IN 2021 THEIR TALENTS EXPLODED ON THE GREAT STAGES OF WORLD GOLF.
IN MAY THE PRODIGIOUS TEENAGER THAT IS HANNAH DARLING TOOK THE HOME OF GOLF BY STORM WITH A REC0RD-EQUALLING PERFORMANCE IN THE ST RULE TROPHY.
THE NOW 18-YEAR-OLD, A PART OF THE 2019 JUNIOR SOLHEIM CUP EUROPEAN TEAM, SHOT A THREE-ROUND TOTAL OF 208, MATCHING THE RECORD SET BY 2019 CHAMPION HAZEL MACGARVIE, TO WIN THE TITLE. HANNAH THEN WENT ON TO REACH THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT GULLANE AND THE WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT Kilmarnock (Barassie), BEFORE FINISHING AS RUNNER-UP BY A SHOT AT ROYAL TROON IN THE Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open Championship.
DARLING CAPPED A TRULY SENSATIONAL SUMMER WITH VICTORY IN THE R&A GIRLS AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT FULFORD GOLF CLUB, AND SHE MADE HER CURTIS CUP DEBUT FOR GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AT CONWY GOLF CLUB IN NORTH WALES.
HER OUTSTANDING GOLFING TALENTS EARNED HER A SCHOLARSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND SHE HAS CONTINUED TO PERFORM INCREDIBLY WITH THREE TOP 10 FINISHES IN HER FOUR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS SO FAR, INCLUDING A RUNNER-UP FINISH AT THE ANNIKA INTERCOLLEGIATE. HER PERFORMANCE ALSO HELPED THE UNIVERSITY TO VICTORY IN THE TEAM EVENT.
IN MAY THE PRODIGIOUS TEENAGER THAT IS HANNAH DARLING TOOK THE HOME OF GOLF BY STORM WITH A REC0RD-EQUALLING PERFORMANCE IN THE ST RULE TROPHY.
THE NOW 18-YEAR-OLD, A PART OF THE 2019 JUNIOR SOLHEIM CUP EUROPEAN TEAM, SHOT A THREE-ROUND TOTAL OF 208, MATCHING THE RECORD SET BY 2019 CHAMPION HAZEL MACGARVIE, TO WIN THE TITLE. HANNAH THEN WENT ON TO REACH THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT GULLANE AND THE WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT Kilmarnock (Barassie), BEFORE FINISHING AS RUNNER-UP BY A SHOT AT ROYAL TROON IN THE Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open Championship.
DARLING CAPPED A TRULY SENSATIONAL SUMMER WITH VICTORY IN THE R&A GIRLS AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT FULFORD GOLF CLUB, AND SHE MADE HER CURTIS CUP DEBUT FOR GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AT CONWY GOLF CLUB IN NORTH WALES.
HER OUTSTANDING GOLFING TALENTS EARNED HER A SCHOLARSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND SHE HAS CONTINUED TO PERFORM INCREDIBLY WITH THREE TOP 10 FINISHES IN HER FOUR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS SO FAR, INCLUDING A RUNNER-UP FINISH AT THE ANNIKA INTERCOLLEGIATE. HER PERFORMANCE ALSO HELPED THE UNIVERSITY TO VICTORY IN THE TEAM EVENT.
IN THE WEEK FOLLOWING THE ST RULE TROPHY THE SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP TOOK PLACE AT GULLANE, AND THIS TIME IT WAS A ST ANDREWS STAR WHICH SHONE THE BRIGHTEST. FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS CHLOE GOADBY HAS COMPETED AND CONTENDED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF GOLF IN SCOTLAND, WITH SOME SUCCESS AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL, ALONG WITH CONSISTENTLY HIGH FINISHES IN THE ST RULE TROPHY AND OTHER SCOTTISH AMATEUR EVENTS.
BUT ON A SUNNY SUNDAY IN JUNE SHE MADE A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH AND WON THE SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP.
AFTER FINISHING IN 14TH PLACE IN THE STROKEPLAY QUALIFYING CHLOE DEFEATED PENELOPE BROWN IN THE FIRST ROUND OF MATCH PLAY, IN A DRAMATIC TIE WHICH WENT TO THE 23RD HOLE BEFORE GOADBY WON. THE LAST 8 SAW ANOTHER CLOSE ENCOUNTER FOR CHLOE AS SHE DEFEATED RACHEL FOSTER ON THE 18TH HOLE, 1UP, BEFORE THE ST ANDREAN PRODUCED A STUNNING DISPLAY IN THE SEMI-FINAL TO DEFEAT ST RULE TROPHY CHAMPION HANNAH DARLING, 5&4.
IN THE FINAL CHLOE DEFEATED TARA MCTAGGART 4&3 TO CLAIM A SENSATIONAL VICTORY IN ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN WOMEN'S AMATEUR GOLF IN SCOTLAND.
BUT ON A SUNNY SUNDAY IN JUNE SHE MADE A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH AND WON THE SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP.
AFTER FINISHING IN 14TH PLACE IN THE STROKEPLAY QUALIFYING CHLOE DEFEATED PENELOPE BROWN IN THE FIRST ROUND OF MATCH PLAY, IN A DRAMATIC TIE WHICH WENT TO THE 23RD HOLE BEFORE GOADBY WON. THE LAST 8 SAW ANOTHER CLOSE ENCOUNTER FOR CHLOE AS SHE DEFEATED RACHEL FOSTER ON THE 18TH HOLE, 1UP, BEFORE THE ST ANDREAN PRODUCED A STUNNING DISPLAY IN THE SEMI-FINAL TO DEFEAT ST RULE TROPHY CHAMPION HANNAH DARLING, 5&4.
IN THE FINAL CHLOE DEFEATED TARA MCTAGGART 4&3 TO CLAIM A SENSATIONAL VICTORY IN ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN WOMEN'S AMATEUR GOLF IN SCOTLAND.
AFTER SENSATIONAL SUCCESSES FOR HANNAH DARLING AND CHLOE GOADBY ANOTHER NAME EMERGED IN LATE SPRING AND SUMMER TO CAPTURE THE IMAGINATION OF GOLFERS ACROSS SCOTLAND. LOUISE DUNCAN TOPPED THE STROKEPLAY QUALIFYING AT THE SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT GULLANE, WITH A SENSATIONAL SCORE OF 9-UNDER-PAR FOR 36 HOLES, AND DESPITE EXITING THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE ROUND OF 16 IT WAS A SIGN OF BETTER THINGS TO COME.
IN THE WEEK FOLLOWING THE SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR THE BEST AMATEUR FEMALE GOLFERS FROM ACROSS THE UK AND IRELAND GATHERED IN THE WEST AT KILMARNOCK GOLF CLUB (BARASSIE) FOR THE WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, AND DUNCAN MADE IT THROUGH TO THE MATCH PLAY STAGES, ALONGSIDE FELLOW SCOTS HANNAH DARLING, CHLOE GOADBY, HAZEL MACGARVIE, LORNA MCCLYMONT, CLARA YOUNG, RACHEL FOSTER, JENNIFER RANKINE AND JASMINE MACINTOSH.
LOUISE EMPHATICALLY DISPATCHED ENGLAND'S THALIA KIRBY 7&5 IN THE ROUND OF 64, AND SAW OFF LOTTIE WOAD 3&2 IN THE ROUND OF 32, JOINING HANNAH DARLING AND SHANNON MCWILLIAM AS SCOTTISH QUALIFIERS FOR THE ROUND OF 16. THE TRIO OF SCOTS WOULD INCREDIBLY ALL MAKE IT THROUGH TO THE SEMI-FINALS, GUARANTEEING A SCOTTISH FINALIST.
BOTH SEMI-FINALS WOULD GO THE DISTANCE AND BE DECIDED ON THE 19TH HOLE, WITH SHANNON MCWILLIAM PAINFULLY LOSING OUT TO ICELAND'S JOHANNA LEA LÚÐVÍKSDÓTTIR. IN THE OTHER SEMI-FINAL LOUISE DUNCAN DRAMATICALLY BEAT HANNAH DARLING ON THE 19TH HOLE IN A GAME WHICH FEATURED 8 BIRDIES.
SO LOUISE WOULD FACE THE OUTSIDER LÚÐVÍKSDÓTTIR IN THE 36-HOLE FINAL ON SATURDAY, BUT THE SCOT WOULD PRODUCE A PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCE TO THRASH HER SCANDINAVIAN OPPONENT AND BOOK A PLACE IN THE AIG WOMEN'S OPEN AT CARNOUSTIE. SHE WOULD MAKE TWO EAGLES AND 3 BIRDIES TO HELP HER WIN BY A STUNNING SCORE OF 9&8.
IN THE WEEK FOLLOWING THE SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR THE BEST AMATEUR FEMALE GOLFERS FROM ACROSS THE UK AND IRELAND GATHERED IN THE WEST AT KILMARNOCK GOLF CLUB (BARASSIE) FOR THE WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP, AND DUNCAN MADE IT THROUGH TO THE MATCH PLAY STAGES, ALONGSIDE FELLOW SCOTS HANNAH DARLING, CHLOE GOADBY, HAZEL MACGARVIE, LORNA MCCLYMONT, CLARA YOUNG, RACHEL FOSTER, JENNIFER RANKINE AND JASMINE MACINTOSH.
LOUISE EMPHATICALLY DISPATCHED ENGLAND'S THALIA KIRBY 7&5 IN THE ROUND OF 64, AND SAW OFF LOTTIE WOAD 3&2 IN THE ROUND OF 32, JOINING HANNAH DARLING AND SHANNON MCWILLIAM AS SCOTTISH QUALIFIERS FOR THE ROUND OF 16. THE TRIO OF SCOTS WOULD INCREDIBLY ALL MAKE IT THROUGH TO THE SEMI-FINALS, GUARANTEEING A SCOTTISH FINALIST.
BOTH SEMI-FINALS WOULD GO THE DISTANCE AND BE DECIDED ON THE 19TH HOLE, WITH SHANNON MCWILLIAM PAINFULLY LOSING OUT TO ICELAND'S JOHANNA LEA LÚÐVÍKSDÓTTIR. IN THE OTHER SEMI-FINAL LOUISE DUNCAN DRAMATICALLY BEAT HANNAH DARLING ON THE 19TH HOLE IN A GAME WHICH FEATURED 8 BIRDIES.
SO LOUISE WOULD FACE THE OUTSIDER LÚÐVÍKSDÓTTIR IN THE 36-HOLE FINAL ON SATURDAY, BUT THE SCOT WOULD PRODUCE A PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCE TO THRASH HER SCANDINAVIAN OPPONENT AND BOOK A PLACE IN THE AIG WOMEN'S OPEN AT CARNOUSTIE. SHE WOULD MAKE TWO EAGLES AND 3 BIRDIES TO HELP HER WIN BY A STUNNING SCORE OF 9&8.
FOLLOWING AMATEUR SUCCESS AND A FINE START TO THE SEASON LOUISE DUNCAN AND CHLOE GOADBY WOULD BE JOINED BY FELLOW SCOTTISH AMATEUR SENSATION HAZEL MACGARVIE FOR A VERY SPECIAL WEDNESDAY AT DUMBARNIE GOLF LINKS. THE TRIO REPRESENTED SCOTTISH GOLF IN THE PRO-AM FOR THE 2021 TRUST GOLF WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN AND GOT THE CHANCE TO PLAY ALONGSIDE EUROPEAN SOLHEIM CUP HERO EMILY PEDERSEN.
GOADBY, DUNCAN AND MACGARVIE PLAYED FROM THE SAME TEES AS THE 5-TIME LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WINNER AND MORE THAN HELD THEIR OWN IN HER COMPANY ON A GREY DAY ON THE FIFE COAST. THIS WAS PERHAPS AN INDICATION FOR WHAT WE WOULD SEE IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK AT CARNOUSTIE AND THIS DECEMBER AT LA MANGA.
GOADBY, DUNCAN AND MACGARVIE PLAYED FROM THE SAME TEES AS THE 5-TIME LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WINNER AND MORE THAN HELD THEIR OWN IN HER COMPANY ON A GREY DAY ON THE FIFE COAST. THIS WAS PERHAPS AN INDICATION FOR WHAT WE WOULD SEE IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK AT CARNOUSTIE AND THIS DECEMBER AT LA MANGA.
HER SUCCESS AT KILMARNOCK GOLF CLUB SECURED A SPOT IN THE AIG WOMEN'S OPEN AT CARNOUSTIE FOR LOUISE DUNCAN, AND ANOTHER LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THE RISING STAR, BUT IT WAS TO TURN INTO SOMEWHAT OF A FAIRYTALE, AND THE BIGGEST "LEARNING EXPERIENCE" ANY AMATEUR COULD WISH FOR.
I REACHED OUT TO LOUISE PRIOR TO THE FINAL PRACTICE DAY BEFORE THE CHAMPIONSHIP TO ENSURE I WAS ON THE COURSE TO FOLLOW HER FOR A FEW HOLES AND ONCE AGAIN, AS AT DUMBARNIE, SHE HELD HER OWN ALONGSIDE MORE EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS, ON WHAT WAS A SWELTERINGLY HOT AFTERNOON ON THE ANGUS COAST.
SHE ONLY PLAYED NINE HOLES, BUT WITH FORMER EUROPEAN TOUR PROFESSIONAL AND HER COACH, DEAN ROBERTSON ON THE BAG SHE WAS READY FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
I REACHED OUT TO LOUISE PRIOR TO THE FINAL PRACTICE DAY BEFORE THE CHAMPIONSHIP TO ENSURE I WAS ON THE COURSE TO FOLLOW HER FOR A FEW HOLES AND ONCE AGAIN, AS AT DUMBARNIE, SHE HELD HER OWN ALONGSIDE MORE EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS, ON WHAT WAS A SWELTERINGLY HOT AFTERNOON ON THE ANGUS COAST.
SHE ONLY PLAYED NINE HOLES, BUT WITH FORMER EUROPEAN TOUR PROFESSIONAL AND HER COACH, DEAN ROBERTSON ON THE BAG SHE WAS READY FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
ROUND ONE: 68, TIED 4TH, ONE SHOT OFF THE LEAD
AFTER HER SUCCESS IN THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP LOUISE DUNCAN HAD BECOME FAMOUS WITHIN GOLFING CIRCLES, BUT ON DAY ONE OF THE 2021 AIG WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP THE NAME OF LOUISE DUNCAN WAS MORE FAMOUS THAN EVEN SHE COULD HAVE DREAMED OF AT THE START OF THE WEEK.
THE SCOT WAS LEVEL PAR FOR THE DAY AFTER 11 HOLES WHICH FEATURED 2 BIRDIES AND 2 BOGEYS, SENSATIONALLY STARTING WITH A BIRDIE AT THE FIRST, SOMETHING SHE WOULD DO THREE TIMES DURING THE WEEK. BUT THEN SHE TOOK OFF WITH BIRDIES AT 12 AND 13, BEFORE MAKING EAGLE AT THE 14TH AND POSTING A SCORE OF 68 TO UNBELIEVABLY SIT ONE OFF THE LEAD IN THE YEAR'S FINAL MAJOR.
AFTER HER SUCCESS IN THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP LOUISE DUNCAN HAD BECOME FAMOUS WITHIN GOLFING CIRCLES, BUT ON DAY ONE OF THE 2021 AIG WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP THE NAME OF LOUISE DUNCAN WAS MORE FAMOUS THAN EVEN SHE COULD HAVE DREAMED OF AT THE START OF THE WEEK.
THE SCOT WAS LEVEL PAR FOR THE DAY AFTER 11 HOLES WHICH FEATURED 2 BIRDIES AND 2 BOGEYS, SENSATIONALLY STARTING WITH A BIRDIE AT THE FIRST, SOMETHING SHE WOULD DO THREE TIMES DURING THE WEEK. BUT THEN SHE TOOK OFF WITH BIRDIES AT 12 AND 13, BEFORE MAKING EAGLE AT THE 14TH AND POSTING A SCORE OF 68 TO UNBELIEVABLY SIT ONE OFF THE LEAD IN THE YEAR'S FINAL MAJOR.
ROUND TWO: 73, TIED 12TH, FOUR SHOTS OFF THE LEAD
AFTER HER OPENING ROUND THERE WAS ONLY ONE STORY TO COVER ON FRIDAY, AND A ROLLERCOASTER ROUND SURE WAS WORTH COVERING. 6 BOGEYS, 5 BIRDIES AND 7 PARS PROVIDED DRAMA ON A SIZZLING DAY IN ANGUS, AND HER SPECTACULAR BIRDIE AT THE 16TH WAS MET WITH A HUGE ROAR FROM THE WATCHING GALLERIES.
AFTER HER OPENING ROUND THERE WAS ONLY ONE STORY TO COVER ON FRIDAY, AND A ROLLERCOASTER ROUND SURE WAS WORTH COVERING. 6 BOGEYS, 5 BIRDIES AND 7 PARS PROVIDED DRAMA ON A SIZZLING DAY IN ANGUS, AND HER SPECTACULAR BIRDIE AT THE 16TH WAS MET WITH A HUGE ROAR FROM THE WATCHING GALLERIES.
ROUND THREE: 68, TIED 4TH, TWO SHOTS OFF THE LEAD
AFTER 73 ON FRIDAY LOUISE THRILLED THE WATCHING GALLERIES AGAIN WITH A PHENOMENAL THIRD ROUND ON THE LINKS AT CARNOUSTIE. SATURDAY SAW THE WEATHER CHANGE IN A DRAMATIC WAY. FROM THE SIZZLING HEAT OF FRIDAY THE PLAYERS AWOKE TO RAIN AND WIND, AND CARNOUSTIE PLAYED TOUGHER ON AN UNCOMFORTABLE DAY TO BE OUT ON THE COURSE.
BUT THIS DID NOT FAZE THE SEEMINGLY UNFLAPPABLE LOUISE DUNCAN. 2 BIRDIES AND A BOGEY SAW HER GO OUT IN 35, 1-UNDER-PAR, BUT ON THE BACK NINE SHE CAME ALIVE TO INCREDIBLY MOVE INTO CONTENTION FOR THE TITLE. BIRDIES AT THE 11TH AND 12TH WERE FOLLOWED BY A SPECTACULAR BIRDIE AT THE DIFFICULT 15TH AND REMARKABLY SHE WAS WITHIN ONE SHOT OF THE LEAD. A STUMBLE AT THE PAR FOUR 17TH SAW HER DROP THREE BACK, BUT THEN CAME THE MOMENT WHICH WILL LIVE WITH ME FOREVER.
THE MASSES KNEW LOUISE WAS DOING WELL AND ASSEMBLED AROUND THE 18TH HOLE, LINING EITHER SIDE OF THE HOLE AND FILLING THE GRANDSTAND AND HOSPITALITY. DUE TO MEDIA RESTRICTIONS I WAS NOT PERMITTED TO SHOOT FROM WITHIN THE ROPES, BUT I MANAGED TO GET A VANTAGE POINT IN AMONGST THE CROWD ON THE LEFT OF THE 18TH GREEN, AND LOUISE PLAYED HER SECOND SHOT TO THE RIGHT OF THE GREEN, AND I WAS PERFECTLY LOCATED FOR ANY CELEBRATION.
SHE SENSATIONALLY ROLLED IN THE BIRDIE PUTT AND SHE CELEBRATED IN EXCITABLE FASHION. THE ROAR FROM THE ASSEMBLED CROWD REVERBERATED AROUND THE GREEN, AND FORTUNATELY NOBODY GOT IN THE WAY OF MY LENS!
IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE MOMENT, AND GOING HOME ON THE TRAIN THAT NIGHT i WAS BUZZING THAT I HAD CAPTURED THIS SHOT.
AFTER 73 ON FRIDAY LOUISE THRILLED THE WATCHING GALLERIES AGAIN WITH A PHENOMENAL THIRD ROUND ON THE LINKS AT CARNOUSTIE. SATURDAY SAW THE WEATHER CHANGE IN A DRAMATIC WAY. FROM THE SIZZLING HEAT OF FRIDAY THE PLAYERS AWOKE TO RAIN AND WIND, AND CARNOUSTIE PLAYED TOUGHER ON AN UNCOMFORTABLE DAY TO BE OUT ON THE COURSE.
BUT THIS DID NOT FAZE THE SEEMINGLY UNFLAPPABLE LOUISE DUNCAN. 2 BIRDIES AND A BOGEY SAW HER GO OUT IN 35, 1-UNDER-PAR, BUT ON THE BACK NINE SHE CAME ALIVE TO INCREDIBLY MOVE INTO CONTENTION FOR THE TITLE. BIRDIES AT THE 11TH AND 12TH WERE FOLLOWED BY A SPECTACULAR BIRDIE AT THE DIFFICULT 15TH AND REMARKABLY SHE WAS WITHIN ONE SHOT OF THE LEAD. A STUMBLE AT THE PAR FOUR 17TH SAW HER DROP THREE BACK, BUT THEN CAME THE MOMENT WHICH WILL LIVE WITH ME FOREVER.
THE MASSES KNEW LOUISE WAS DOING WELL AND ASSEMBLED AROUND THE 18TH HOLE, LINING EITHER SIDE OF THE HOLE AND FILLING THE GRANDSTAND AND HOSPITALITY. DUE TO MEDIA RESTRICTIONS I WAS NOT PERMITTED TO SHOOT FROM WITHIN THE ROPES, BUT I MANAGED TO GET A VANTAGE POINT IN AMONGST THE CROWD ON THE LEFT OF THE 18TH GREEN, AND LOUISE PLAYED HER SECOND SHOT TO THE RIGHT OF THE GREEN, AND I WAS PERFECTLY LOCATED FOR ANY CELEBRATION.
SHE SENSATIONALLY ROLLED IN THE BIRDIE PUTT AND SHE CELEBRATED IN EXCITABLE FASHION. THE ROAR FROM THE ASSEMBLED CROWD REVERBERATED AROUND THE GREEN, AND FORTUNATELY NOBODY GOT IN THE WAY OF MY LENS!
IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE MOMENT, AND GOING HOME ON THE TRAIN THAT NIGHT i WAS BUZZING THAT I HAD CAPTURED THIS SHOT.
ROUND FOUR: 72, TIED 10TH, LOW AMATEUR AND 5 SHOTS BEHIND THE WINNER
WHEN SUNDAY ARRIVED THE ANTICIPATION WAS AT FEVER PITCH. COULD THIS PRECOCIOUS, YOUNG TALENTED SCOTTISH GIRL ACTUALLY WIN ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOURNAMENTS IN WORLD GOLF? THE BULK OF THE 8,000 CROWD WHICH ATTENDED ON THAT DAY ASSEMBLED AROUND THE FIRST TWO HOLES FOR THE TIME LOUISE DUNCAN TEED OFF AND ANTICIPATION TURNED INTO FRENZIED EXCITEMENT AFTER SHE CALMLY ROLLED IN A BIRDIE ON THE FIRST HOLE TO SENSATIONALLY PULL TO WITHIN ONE SHOT OF THE LEAD.
WHEN SUNDAY ARRIVED THE ANTICIPATION WAS AT FEVER PITCH. COULD THIS PRECOCIOUS, YOUNG TALENTED SCOTTISH GIRL ACTUALLY WIN ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOURNAMENTS IN WORLD GOLF? THE BULK OF THE 8,000 CROWD WHICH ATTENDED ON THAT DAY ASSEMBLED AROUND THE FIRST TWO HOLES FOR THE TIME LOUISE DUNCAN TEED OFF AND ANTICIPATION TURNED INTO FRENZIED EXCITEMENT AFTER SHE CALMLY ROLLED IN A BIRDIE ON THE FIRST HOLE TO SENSATIONALLY PULL TO WITHIN ONE SHOT OF THE LEAD.
LOUISE FOLLOWED THE BIRDIE AT THE FIRST WITH SEVEN CONSECUTIVE PARS TO REMAIN WITHIN 3 OF THE LEAD, AND THEN AT THE 9TH SHE MADE ANOTHER BIRDIE TO MOVE TO -9 FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP, STILL 3 BEHIND BUT WELL IN CONTENTION AS THE BACK NINE BEGAN.
SADLY SHE FOLLOWED THIS WITH A BOGEY AT THE 10TH, AND DESPITE HITTING STRAIGHT BACK WITH A BIRDIE AT THE 11TH SHE COULD NOT MOVE BACK INTO CONTENTION, EVENTUALLY FALLING BACK TO -7 FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH BOGEYS AT THE 16TH AND 18TH. BUT THE ATMOSPHERE CAUSED BY THE RECEPTION SHE RECEIVED ON THE 72ND HOLE WAS ABSOLUTELY SPINE TINGLING. THE SUNSHINE ON SUNDAY WAS ABSOLUTELY GLORIOUS, AND ON THAT SUNDAY IN AUGUST THE SUN ROSE ON WHAT SURELY WILL BE A SPLENDID CAREER FOR LOUISE DUNCAN.
HER PHENOMENAL FINISH OF TIED FOR 10TH FAR EXCEEDED PRE-TOURNAMENT EXPECTATIONS, AND PROVIDED PERHAPS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE GOLFING YEAR FOR ME, SEEING ONE OF THE YOUNG WOMEN WHO I HAVE COVERED SO MUCH OVER RECENT YEARS NOT JUST PLAYING WELL IN, BUT CONTENDING FOR A MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP.
SADLY SHE FOLLOWED THIS WITH A BOGEY AT THE 10TH, AND DESPITE HITTING STRAIGHT BACK WITH A BIRDIE AT THE 11TH SHE COULD NOT MOVE BACK INTO CONTENTION, EVENTUALLY FALLING BACK TO -7 FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH BOGEYS AT THE 16TH AND 18TH. BUT THE ATMOSPHERE CAUSED BY THE RECEPTION SHE RECEIVED ON THE 72ND HOLE WAS ABSOLUTELY SPINE TINGLING. THE SUNSHINE ON SUNDAY WAS ABSOLUTELY GLORIOUS, AND ON THAT SUNDAY IN AUGUST THE SUN ROSE ON WHAT SURELY WILL BE A SPLENDID CAREER FOR LOUISE DUNCAN.
HER PHENOMENAL FINISH OF TIED FOR 10TH FAR EXCEEDED PRE-TOURNAMENT EXPECTATIONS, AND PROVIDED PERHAPS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE GOLFING YEAR FOR ME, SEEING ONE OF THE YOUNG WOMEN WHO I HAVE COVERED SO MUCH OVER RECENT YEARS NOT JUST PLAYING WELL IN, BUT CONTENDING FOR A MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP.
WITH THE GOLFING YEAR WINDING DOWN THERE WAS STILL TIME FOR STUNNING ACHIEVEMENT BY THIS TRULY GOLDEN GENERATION OF FEMALE SCOTTISH GOLFERS, AND IT CAME FROM HAZEL MACGARVIE AT THE ICONIC LA MANGA IN SOUTHERN SPAIN. THE SOUTH COURSE AT THE FAMOUS SPANISH RESORT HOSTED THE FINAL STAGE OF QUALIFYING FOR THE 2022 LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR, AND AFTER TURNING PROFESSIONAL EARLIER IN THE AUTUMN HAZEL MACGARVIE ENTERED THE TOURNAMENT WITH HIGH HOPES OF SUCCESS.
ROUNDS OF 73, 73, 69, 71 AND 75 WERE ENOUGH TO SEE HAZEL FINISH IN A TIE FOR 15TH AND EARN A CARD FOR THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR IN 2022. THE 21-YEAR-OLD FROM TROON WILL BECOME THE FIRST OF THE 'GOLDEN GENERATION' TO PLAY FULL-TIME AS A PROFESSIONAL, AND 2022 HOLDS MUCH EXCITEMENT IN STORE FOR THE YOUNG STAR WHO WON THE 2019 ST RULE TROPHY IN ST ANDREWS.
ROUNDS OF 73, 73, 69, 71 AND 75 WERE ENOUGH TO SEE HAZEL FINISH IN A TIE FOR 15TH AND EARN A CARD FOR THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR IN 2022. THE 21-YEAR-OLD FROM TROON WILL BECOME THE FIRST OF THE 'GOLDEN GENERATION' TO PLAY FULL-TIME AS A PROFESSIONAL, AND 2022 HOLDS MUCH EXCITEMENT IN STORE FOR THE YOUNG STAR WHO WON THE 2019 ST RULE TROPHY IN ST ANDREWS.
AS SOMEONE WHO HAS COVERED EACH OF THESE YOUNG LADIES IN NUMEROUS AMATEUR EVENTS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IT IS FANTASTIC TO SEE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2021, AND EACH OF THEM CAN BE EXCITED FOR 2022 WITH BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS ON THE HORIZON. BOTH LOUISE DUNCAN AND HANNAH DARLING WILL COMPETE IN THE 2022 AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR THIS MARCH/APRIL WITH 2 ROUNDS AT CHAMPIONS RETREAT GOLF CLUB BEFORE A CUT TO THE LEADING 30 PLAYERS AFTER 36 HOLES, WHO WILL GO ON TO PLAY THE FINAL ROUND AT AUGUSTA ON SATURDAY. ALL OF THE COMPETITORS WILL PLAY A PRACTICE ROUND AT AUGUSTA ON THE FRIDAY.
HAZEL MACGARVIE WILL BE COMPETING ON THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR, AND AFTER A RECORD-BREAKING SCHEDULE WAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED SHE HAS MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO, INCLUDING THE TRUST GOLF WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN AT DUNDONALD ON THE WEST COAST. SHANK WILL ONCE AGAIN COVER THE RISING STARS OF WOMEN'S GOLF IN 2022 WITH COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE ST RULE TROPHY IN MAY AND REMOTE COVERAGE OF SEVERAL EVENTS ACROSS THE WORLD INCLUDING THE AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR, ALL 5 WOMEN'S MAJORS AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT EVENTS.
HAZEL MACGARVIE WILL BE COMPETING ON THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR, AND AFTER A RECORD-BREAKING SCHEDULE WAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED SHE HAS MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO, INCLUDING THE TRUST GOLF WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN AT DUNDONALD ON THE WEST COAST. SHANK WILL ONCE AGAIN COVER THE RISING STARS OF WOMEN'S GOLF IN 2022 WITH COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE ST RULE TROPHY IN MAY AND REMOTE COVERAGE OF SEVERAL EVENTS ACROSS THE WORLD INCLUDING THE AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR, ALL 5 WOMEN'S MAJORS AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT EVENTS.
LOUISE DUNCAN AND HANNAH DARLING WILL EXPERIENCE AUGUSTA NATIONAL IN APRIL. IMAGE: BRETT CHISUM
