Alumna Lucy Williams has won the 2011 English women’s amateur championship, held in West Sussex on Saturday, May 14, defeating 15-year old Charley Hull from Woburn on the 19th hole in an outstanding final.
The 2010 Applied Golf Management Studies (AGMS) graduate came back from one down after 16 to snatch the title on the title on the 19th with a finish of birdie, eagle, birdie.
Speaking after her victory Lucy said: ‘I am just so happy, shocked and over the moon! It was a brilliant match. I knew it would be hard, but the way I played in the strokeplay qualifying showed me I could do it.’
This was the first time the 21-year old had played in the event as previous commitments first at school, then as a student at the University of Birmingham had prevented her from doing so.
However, the preparation seemed to pay off as Lucy had the chance to capitalise on the skills learnt in her 2.1 AGMS degree and from her time as part of the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme.
The large crowd of spectators were treated to a superb match, with both players showing their grit by being well under par for the round.
Although Lucy did not play as long as her competitor she was very accurate with her shots, especially on the crucial 19th hole which she played flawlessly. Lucy credits her victory to being armed with a brand new set of Taylor-Made woods saying: ‘I don’t think I would have won without them. I couldn’t tell you what I was thinking on my last putt, I was so in the zone!’
Dr. Matt Bridge, Senior Lecturer in Coaching & Sports Science at the University of Birmingham said: ‘This is an excellent success for Lucy in her first year of playing golf after graduating. This is a fantastic example of showing how University of Birmingham encourages and develops both academic and sporting successes.’
AGMS is a unique degree programme partnered between the University and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA). As the only degree of its kind in the world, students have the chance of combining a high-level applied theoretical degree with the internationally recognised PGA Professional Status qualification.