Kirsten Rudgeley and Hayden Hopewell have been crowned 2020 Amateur Champions of Western Australia.
This is the third title for nineteen-year-old Kirsten and a second consecutive win. She is the second female to ever win the Eileen Dawson Stroke play and Amateur Championship titles, but the first to break a course record during her win.
Royal Fremantle’s Hayden Hopewell was victorious on the 36th hole winning the match 1UP after a see-sawing tussle against Mount Lawley’s Jordan Jung.
The Sir Charles Gairdner trophy was awarded to number one seed Haydn Barron, narrowly winning the stroke play element over Hopewell by one.
Rudgeley defeated state teammate and great friend Kathryn Norris 3&2 in the 36-hole match play final.
Speaking after her victory, Rudgeley said, “Kat and I both played well I guess. On the first nine, I got on a roll and had four birdies in a row which pushed me out in front. But Kat came back strong in the next 18. I putted around the hole really well when I needed to, and I managed to do the right things at the right time to keep me in the game.”
My game has changed since my win last year. I feel stronger, more confident and making the distance. The parts of my game I have been working on seem to be coming together. I never used to be able to make birdies like I can now.
“Huge thanks to all the supporters and especially Mum and Dad, and Ben for coming out. Thank you Kathryn for a great game and Melville Glades Golf Club for sharing their course.”
Jung and Hopewell were very evenly matched with Jung leading for the majority of the round. Coming up the 36th hole square, Hopewell managed an approach shot three foot from the hole.
“I was thrilled and relieved I managed that sixty metre shot into the pin. Jungy was in the greenside trap and unfortunately thinned his shot out into the bunker on the other side. To be left with a three-footer for the win was very exciting.”
“My sister was awesome on the bag and really thankful for her caddying for me in such a long tournament. It was a long week. My golf was A1 at the start of the week but fatigue does play a part in this tournament. Today’s 36 hole final was a rollercoaster, Jungy looked very solid from the start. I hit some really nice approach shots to stay in the game. I was three down with eleven to play. I told myself to stay patient, get a couple of birdies I could change the flow. Eventually, I did on the last hole.”
“Huge thanks to the Royal Freo supporters and team Hopewell. I am thrilled to win this after participating many times.”
Golf WA Chairman Greg Higham warmly welcomed a clubhouse of supporters and reiterated thanks to the host club Melville Glades and the team of volunteers needed to support this event.
Scoring from the finals can be found here.
