While the 119th Women’s Amateur Championship ultimately ended in disappointment for Amelia Williamson, the local player reflected on a week she is unlikely to forget at Hunstanton.
Over the Norfolk links, the Englishwoman celebrated her 22nd birthday on the Thursday of the championship after having come through stroke-play qualifying and an opening match-play round to book her place in the round of 32.
“Tomorrow is my birthday, so I'm happy that I get to play golf on my birthday,” she said June 22 after beating fellow England player Rosie Belsham, 2 and 1. “So that's what I was kind of motivated by today. I just really wanted to be here tomorrow for my birthday. We are both headed to the European Team Championship together in a couple weeks, and I knew that it was going to be a really tough match.”
Williamson had handled the pre-championship expectations. Ranked inside the top 50 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, she also held the distinction of holding the women’s course record at Hunstanton. She carded a 6-under-par 69 off the par-75 red tees in 2020.
A member at nearby Sheringham Golf Club, Williamson also is a member at Hunstanton and visits when she can.
“I think it's perhaps a small advantage,” she said of her knowledge of the links. “It's probably not as big as one would expect. It just comes out on the odd shot which can make the par easy, or prevent the slip-up of a bogey. The matches can be really tight, and just one hole can be the difference.
“I do like it here. I like links golf. I don't get to play it much when I'm back out in America. It's always a treat to come here, but wind, rain, anything, I still enjoy playing golf around here and the challenge that it provides.”
“I've been a member at quite a few clubs growing up in my childhood. So, a lot of the members at the clubs that I've been a member at have come to support me from many, many years ago, which is really nice.”
Amelia Williamson
Having had “decent form” since last August in her final collegiate season at Florida State University, Williamson brought the crowds out for her round-of-32 match against Carolina Melgrati from Italy. Local members and her family, including her grandparents, cheered her on.
“I've been a member at quite a few clubs growing up in my childhood,” she said. “So, a lot of the members at the clubs that I've been a member at have come to support me from many, many years ago, which is really nice.”
The local backing helped her secure a 3-and-2 win and a place in the round of 16. The dream was still alive. Indeed, with various exemptions open to the winner of the Women’s Amateur – including the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield in August – she was thinking big.
“It would mean a lot to win,” she said. “I'm planning on turning pro next, kind of springtime. So, to be able to play the tournaments and privileges which come with winning this before I turn pro would give me a lot of experience leading up to the time that I do turn professional.”
Ultimately another Italian, Emilie Alba Paltrinieri, had other ideas. Williamson lost out, 2 and 1. Her lack of match-play experience of late perhaps hindered her.
“We only play it a couple of times a year in the U.S., so for me, it's been a while,” she said of the knockout format. “I got COVID-19, too, at the national championship, so I was sitting out on the bench. So, my second opportunity to practise the match play was taken away from me.”
Jess Baker claimed the Women’s Amateur title, but after a special week on a local links, Williamson still will treasure the memories.
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