Kiwi Paterson Claims R&A Senior Amateur Title

Woodhall Spa, England: New Zealander Brent Paterson and England’s Jackie Foster claimed success in the R&A Senior Amateur and Women’s Senior Amateur championships at Woodhall Spa.

Paterson, winner of the APGC Senior Amateur Championship in 2018, said securing the title was ‘surreal’.

Paterson won by five shots over Englishman John Kemp after the Kiwi finished on a total of eight-under-par 283 thanks to rounds of 73, 69, 68 and a closing 73.

Foster bettered Australian Nadene Gole and fellow Englishwoman Emma Brown by two shots with a six-over-par tally of 297 (76, 73, 72 and 76). 

Gole was a member of the triumphant Australian team at last year’s inaugural APGC Women’s Senior Championship at Kuala Lumpur’s Kota Permai Golf & Country Club. She is currently the number one senior player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) at 244th.

Sue Wooster, a team-mate of Gole's at the APGC Senior Championship, ended in a share of seventh place. She was one stroke behind Gole after three rounds, but closed with an 83 to drop out of title contention.  

With both R&A championships played concurrently for the first time at Royal Dornoch 12 months ago, the English venue was the setting for both this year as Paterson 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 trophy since the inaugural 1969 championship.

Foster added the women’s trophy to consecutive wins in the 2016 and 2017 English Senior Amateur Championship.

Paterson 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.”

His 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.”

Paterson joins the Sir Bob Charles as an R&A winner. The left-hander won The Open in 1963, the only New Zealander to win the Claret Jug.

“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.”

Foster didn’t have as far to travel as Paterson. A member of Bishop Stortford Golf Club in Hertfordshire, she never dreamt when traveling the 113 miles to Woodhall Spa she would be standing with the trophy at the end of the week.

“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. She led Gole by two at the start of the day. That lead evaporated on the opening hole. Lying 150 yards from the flag, the Australian’s six-iron approach found the bottom of the cup for an eagle.

Foster, a retired policewoman, said: “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?’

“I was steady over the front nine, going out in level par. I knew where I was against Nadene but at half-way 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.