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see also: View results for British Womens Senior, Walton Heath Golf Club
Kathy Hartwiger captures the British Senior Women’s Amateur with a 3-shot victory at Walton Heath, turning an anniversary vacation
Kathy Hartwiger of the United States capped a memorable anniversary trip to England with victory at the British Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, holding on despite a closing 78 (+4) at Walton Heath to win by three shots. The 59-year-old Pinehurst resident finished at +1 (297 total) for the week, outlasting Ireland’s Tracy Eakin and England’s Emma Brown in a test of precision and nerve on classic heathland turf.
| Player | Country/Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Total | To Par |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathy Hartwiger | USA | 76 | 73 | 70 | 78 | 297 | +1 |
| Tracy Eakin | Ireland (Dooks) | 73 | 74 | 77 | 76 | 300 | +4 |
| Emma Brown | England (Malton & Norton) | 80 | 75 | 73 | 73 | 301 | +5 |
Hartwiger’s trip to England was meant to celebrate her 35th wedding anniversary with husband Chris—a true vacation. Instead, it turned into a career highlight. Her week at Walton Heath showcased not just her skill but her adaptability on firm, fast-running heathland fairways that demanded shot-making creativity and strategic patience.
“We’re actually on vacation,” she shared earlier in the week. “Chris and I are celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary. I’ve always wanted to come over here and play but we had kids, and I was never able to. So I said this is the year because if I don’t at 59 then I might never do it.”
After seizing a four-shot lead with a bogey-free 70 in Round 3, Hartwiger faced pressure throughout Saturday’s final round. Despite carding a 78 (+4), her earlier cushion proved enough. A steely short game and her ability to recover from early miscues carried her across the line. She becomes the first American champion since Lara Tennant in 2019.
Ireland’s Tracy Eakin (+4) and England’s Emma Brown (+5) closed strong but couldn’t overcome Hartwiger’s lead. Eakin’s 76 and Brown’s 73 left them three and four strokes back, respectively. Sue Wooster (Australia) and Carole Danten Azfi (France) rounded out the top five in a championship that drew top senior amateurs from across the globe.
For complete scores, photos, and post-tournament coverage, visit our British Senior Women’s Amateur hub.
The R&A Womens Senior Amateur Championship was first played in 1981. The championship is open to players aged 50 years and over and is held annually. The competitor with the lowest 54-hole total over four rounds of stroke play will be declared the wi...
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