SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - Freya Russell loses out in the final

Freya Russell (Royal Troon) came agonisingly close to a first senior national title when she lost out in the final of the Scottish Women's Amateur Championship at Nairn Dunbar GC on Saturday the 26th of May 2024.

In the 36 hole strokeplay qualifying event, Freya was one of two Ayrshire players who qualified for the top flite of matchplay, finishing joint seventh on 147, one over par. The other Ayrshire qualifier was Hannah Ounap (Loudoun) who finished ninth on 148, two over par.

Jodie Graham (Royal Troon) finished joint 25th on 154, eight over par, to qualify for the second flite matchplay, for The Clark Rosebowl.

The full list of scores in the strokeplay qualifying by Ayrshire players were:-

7=       Freya Russell (Royal Troon) 147 (+1) 71/76

9         Hannah Ounap (Loudoun) 148 (+2) 69/79

25=     Jodie Graham (Royal Troon) 154 (+8) 74/80

47=     Sarah Ramsay (West Kilbride) 162 (+16) 82/80

68        Joanne Sharp (Kilmarnock Barassie) 182 (+36) 92/90

In the Clark Rosebowl matchplay event, Jodie Graham beat Pamas Abhiteachapan (St Regulus Ladies) by 2&1 in the first round before losing out by 6&5 in the semi finals to Summer Elliot (Inverness).

In the championshoip matchplay, the two Ayrshire qualifiers were destined to meet in the first round, with Freya Russell beating Hannah Ounap by 3&2 to progress. In the second round Russell beat top qualifier Jasmine Mackintosh (Murcar Links) by 2 holes before securing her place in the final with a 2&1 semi final win over Robin Fowlie (Murcar Links).

In the final Russell faced Scotland internationalist Lorna McClymont (Milngavie), who had lost in the final in extra holes in 2022 at Trump International, and McClymont took an early lead, with her experience helping her to build on her early advantage and run out eventual winner of the title with a 5&3 victory.