Champions Brent Paterson and Sue Foster
For the second time, the men's and women's British Senior Amateur championships were played concurrently. Once again, holding the championship this way was a success.
With both championships played concurrently for the first time at Royal Dornoch 12 months ago, the English venue at Woodhall Spa was the setting for both portions this year as Brent Paterson of New Zealand entered the golf history books.
The 62-year-old Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club member is the first New Zealander to win the prestigious event that has been contested since 1969. Jackie Foster added the women’s trophy to consecutive wins in the 2016 and 2017 English Senior Amateur Championship.
Paterson -- who took his putter to bed after a tough day on the greens in the first round -- was also making his championship debut.
“It’s crazy,” he said. “I played with some good golfers this week but I like being in that white hot competition. It’s just really exciting. You don’t get many of these chances in your life to win big events like this.”
Wife, Susan, was caddying for him for only the fourth time. “It was such a great thrill for both of us,” he added. “I’ve met quite a number of the members and the whole town has a lovely feel to it. We’ve loved being here and for us to win makes it extra special.”
“So many good friends advised me to come and play this and I’m glad I did. I’m here now and I’ve got the trophy.”
Paterson joins the great Sir Bob Charles as an R&A winner. The left-hander won The Open Championship in 1963, the only New Zealander to win the Claret Jug. That
“I played with him this year in the New Zealand Seniors,” Paterson said. “I was playing very well and he asked me how old I was. I told him 62, and he said: ‘Too bad, you’re too old for the Tour.’ It was a great compliment, so for me to join him as an R&A champion is a bit surreal.
“So many good friends advised me to come and play this and I’m glad I did. I’m here now and I’ve got the trophy.”
BIG AMERICAN GROUP FINISHES T4
Heading into this year's event, Americans had won eight of the last ten British Senior Men's titles, including the last three. They may not have continued the streak this year, but there was the typical large contingent in the field -- four of who tied for fourth place.
The No. 1 ranked player in the
AmateurGolf.com Senior Men's Rankings, Rusty Strawn of Georgia, posted even par for the championship to finish tied with former NFL quarterback Stan Humphries, Dennis Martin, and Craig Steinberg -- all three from California.
Defending champion Mike McCoy -- the 2023 USA Walker Cup captain -- finished T17 at 5-over with his close friend from Iowa, Gene Elliott.
WOMEN'S BRITISH SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Foster didn’t have as far to travel as Paterson. She’s a member of Bishop Stortford Golf Club in Hertfordshire but she never dreamt when she was traveling the 113 miles to Woodhall Spa she would be standing with the trophy at the end of the week.
“My aim really for the week was to make the first cut, and then to do well enough to make the second cut. I’m thrilled. I can’t believe it. It’s beyond my wildest dreams.”
“It’s amazing,” the 59-year-old said. “My aim really for the week was to make the first cut, and then to do well enough to make the second cut. I’m thrilled. I can’t believe it. It’s beyond my wildest dreams.”
Foster went head-to-head in the final round with Gole, the number one senior player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) at 244th. She led Gole by two at the start of the day. That lead evaporated on the first hole. Lying 150 yards from the flag, the Australian’s 6-iron approach found the bottom of the cup for an eagle.
“At the start of the day, I thought to myself I’ve had three good rounds so far, am I going to be able to keep it going for another round?” retired policewoman Foster said. “I was steady over the front nine, going out in level par. I knew where I was against Nadene but at halfway my husband Ian, who caddied for me, said there was quite a gap between us and the rest of the field. So it was just a case of keep trying to make pars.
“I got really edgy at the end but it’s hard to win. This achievement has to be at the top of what I’ve done in golf. Four rounds over two tough golf courses is hard so to win is almost unbelievable. And to do it here is extra special.”
Extra special because Foster is a country member of Woodhall Spa. As for Paterson, he can’t wait to return next year for his second tilt at the Senior Amateur.
ABOUT THE British Senior Amateur
The British Senior Amateur, called the "Seniors
Amateur Championship" in the United Kingdom,
was launched by The R&A in 1969 to help select
a Great Britain & Ireland side to play in the
World Senior Amateur Team Championship.
Though the British Senior Amateur, played for the
first time at Formby, was an instant success, the
team event did not survive beyond 1969. Charlie
Green has been the most successful player in
the history of the event, winning six times in
seven years beginning in 1988. Like the U.S.
Senior Amateur, players must be over the age of
55 to play. Notable courses played over the
years include Royal County Down, Royal
Portrush, Royal Aberdeen, and Walton Heath.
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