Amy Staveley etched her name into the history books as the first winner of the North England Women’s Amateur Championship.
Ganton-based Amy, 19, fired a sensational final round of four under-par (68) at Goswick to complete a four-shot victory over Parkstone’s Alice Webb in the 54-hole event – which was sponsored by Plastic Processing Limited and began with 36 holes at Seaton Carew before heading north to Goswick.
“It feels nice to have won the new women’s title,” said Amy, who won the North of England Under 16s at Heswall in 2021. “I struggled a bit with my game last season, but it is nice to come back to the north and win. It gives me some positivity and confidence.”
The event, which awarded World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, began in tough conditions at Seaton – with Amy posting two rounds of 75 to share the lead with Alice. In the final round at Goswick, Amy carded her first bogey-free round and set a new course record from the green tees.
“I was nervous the last couple of holes, especially when I missed the green on 18,” added Amy. “I was in the lead with Alice after day one and went into the last round with a plan to play positive and sensible golf.
“It was fantastic to win with my mum [Paula] caddying for me. It was nice to have her alongside me and spend some time with her after returning from the US.”
Amy is set to return to America in August and will compete in the English Women’s Strokeplay Championship at Alwoodley in June.
“I want to keep progressing my golf, see how it goes and enjoy it,” she added. “I am taking every day as it comes, and it would be great to turn pro at some point. I am learning so much in the US and it is a lot of fun studying in South Carolina.”
The groundbreaking tournament offered a combined prize pot of £2,500, with Amy taking home £500 and the trophy, which was presented by Plastic Processing’s Patrick Connolly.
Roy Leonard, club secretary at Seaton Carew, said: “On behalf of everyone at Seaton Carew, I extend our congratulations to Amy. It was a fantastic event and the calibre of play from Amy, and all the competitors, was exceptional. We hope this groundbreaking championship builds on its strong start to become a pivotal fixture on the golfing calendar.”
Goswick’s Dan Miller added: “Congratulations to Amy and all who competed in what Goswick and Seaton Carew hope will grow into a regular fixture for the UK’s most accomplished women golfers.”
