At British Girls, Spitz wins one for Austria
Emma Spitz (R&A photo)
Emma Spitz scored a win for Austria at the Girls British Open Amateur on Sunday when she defeated Isabella Holpfer, 2 and 1, in the 18-hole final at Ardglass in Northern Ireland.
“It’s my biggest win,” she told the R&A. “It was a great final match and I thought we both played really well. The wind was a little bit less than in the morning so birdies were needed to win holes. We had seven between us and I was just pleased that my putter was working.
“We have played together since we were eight years old so we know each other really well. We have played against each other so many times in match play already. It’s always a hard match against a teammate and winning is pretty cool.”
Spitz considers Holpfer a childhood friend. Still, she didn’t let up in competing against her. Spitz was 3 up after five holes. Holpfer, however, wouldn’t give in and kept herself in the match. Ultimately, she missed short putts on Nos. 13 and 16 to end it in Spitz’s favor.
“It was a tough match and different playing in a final against someone I know well. It was a great experience to play in front of a good crowd too, as usually at other events you might not have as many people following,” she told the R&A. “I’ve done well in Ireland before, winning here in 2015 at the Irish Women’s Open Stroke Play, so it has been nice to have another good week here.”
The spoils for Spitz, 18, are considerable. She now is exempt into Final Qualifying for the Women’s British Open in 2019, and also is assured an invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
About the latter, Spitz had this to say: “It’s amazing (securing a place in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship). It was my goal from when the tournament was announced to try and play in it next year. To win here and get my ticket for the tournament is amazing.”
Information from the R&A used in this report
ABOUT THE British Girls Amateur
The first stage of the Championship includes
two
rounds of stroke play qualifying. The 64 lowest
scores
over the 36 holes will compete in the match
play
stage of the Championship.
Each match will consist of one round of 18
holes,
including the Final. The Challenge Cup is
awarded to
the winner, while The Leven Trophy is awarded
to the
runner-up.
The following awards are presented to players
returning the lowest scores over the two stroke
play
qualifying rounds:
The Lady Heathcoat–Amory Memorial Medal for
players over 16 years of age, The Todd Bowl
for
players
under 16 years of age and The Fairhaven
Pheasant
for players under 14 years of age.
A Team Trophy is awarded to the team (nation)
with
the lowest aggregate score over the two stroke
play
qualifying rounds
View Complete Tournament Information