My golfing journey began late, when I was 16. Before that, I had always been a hockey player first and golfer second, but something changed in that summer that made golf my number one – and I never looked back.
I was lucky enough to play for the Kent Junior Teams twice under the lovely guidance of Iris Smith. We had great fun at the events and did well as a group, although it was the adult Kent teams that really stood out for me in my career. We had a super group of fun, dedicated and talented players and over a four or five year period just gelled, and success followed.
It came in 2003 when we won the County Match week at Prince’s and qualified for finals week. There we were winners as well, superb golf played, great fun had, and history made. Nothing beats that feeling of everyone pulling together and that winning feeling together.
From there, for me personally, international golf followed. I had been doing well individually on the amateur circuit for a few years and was gaining a good reputation for my match play skills – it was the part of the game I loved, just me against another player, team golf was right up my street. I also represented my University team Surrey, and was the only female in our team (or anyone else’s!), in my time there we also won the National BUCS title, and I again got to enjoy that winning team feeling.
And then came the 2004 Curtis Cup year. The years running up to this were competitive, there were lots of girls going for the places, and I really didn’t ever think I would be selected. I was a Maths teacher, I wasn’t a big name in International Golf, I was just a hugely competitive Kent golfer who loved winning – but obviously that was far more recognised than I had thought, because on return from the last training camp, I would receive the call telling me I was part of it. Cue the party, the excitement, but also huge pride to be involved and for all the hard work to pay off.
The Curtis Cup that year involved some huge American names. Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie were the standouts. We knew it would be a huge challenge, but taking place on home soil at Formby Golf Club gave us home advantage, and as a team, we were keen to take it on.
The weekend started brightly, 3.0 up after the first round of foursomes, Dani Thwaites and I were paired together, the long and exciting Dani with the steady and determined me – we dovetailed brilliantly and got our point on the final green – a moment I will always cherish. Alas, America rallied in the afternoon singles, taking back the lead, and despite getting close on the final day, GB&I weren’t able to get the points to win. An opportunity missed perhaps after the opening morning, but nonetheless an incredible experience and a life-changing weekend – not least because I faced Michelle Wie on the final day and was unceremoniously thrashed!!
The Curtis Cup is tough to win, it’s been shown over the years that American players do seem to have the edge, especially when it comes to singles, but our current team are defending champions – Lottie Woad was amongst the group who won at Sunningdale in 2024 and I am sure they are hugely determined to defend their title this week.
Having been there, I absolutely know the girls will enjoy every second and will give their all – we wish them the best of luck!
>> Find out more about the Curtis Cup
