Maggie Whitehead ended her 2021 season with an outstanding record – finishing inside the top-10 in every national event she played and securing the number one ranking among England’s under 16 girls in the European Golf Rankings.
Fifteen-year-old Maggie, a member of Close House and Ramside, closed out the season with a seventh place finish in the R&A Girls U16 Open Championship at Enville. Playing in the final group, she jumped into a tie for the lead with eagle at the opening hole before fading on the back nine. The event was won by England’s Rosie Bee Kim, while Whickham’s Faye Wheatley finished in a tie for 16th place.
The finish added to Maggie’s win in the English Girls (U16) Open Amateur Championship at Morecambe, and third place finishes in the R&A Girls Amateur Championship at Fulford and the English Girls’ Stroke Play Championship at Malton & Norton.
“It’s my best season so far,” said Maggie. “I felt some pressure going into the event at Enville, knowing I could achieve a top-10 finish in every event. I’m really proud to have achieved it – it’s been a busy season and a really good one.
“I missed having a full season of competitive golf in 2020 so getting back to it was a lot of fun. To have the best season of my golf career so far was amazing.”
This season also saw Maggie compete in the Rose Ladies Series event at The Berkshire – where she led the field late in her round before falling back. She also competed in the pro am at the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie alongside Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, world No. 14 Jessica Korda, and broadcaster Eilidh Barbour.
“Winning at Morecambe was really special and representing GB&I in the Junior Vagliano Trophy was incredible. Playing in the Rose Ladies Series alongside the professionals was so much fun and I got some lovely messages from some of the professionals afterwards.
“Next year is going to be really busy with lots of events in my last season in the under 16s to fit in around my exams. I want to defend the English Girls title and I’d really like to play some international events, including some for England, if that’s possible.”
