Golfer makes history to become first woman to win Nairnshire County Championship
SUMMER Elliott made history as she became the first woman to win the Nairnshire County Championship.
The 18-year-old from Inverness, who is originally from Nairn, and is a member of Nairn Golf Club, Nairn Dunbar Golf Club and Inverness Golf Club claimed victory by one shot to make history.
It was part of a terrific run of form for Elliott, who also won the Loretto Junior Golf Tour event at Musselburgh Golf Club by setting a course record of -9.
In addition, she also won the Junior Tour Scotland event at Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club as she reinforced her status as one of the most promising upcoming players in Scotland.
As well becoming the first woman to win the Nairnshire County Championship, it was an emotional day for Elliott as she was still mourning the passing of her dog Samba.
Her Bedlington Terrier, who was 13 when he died, would often come with her during practice at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club.
Elliott says she did consider not playing in the tournament as she was still upset by the death of her dog.
But she wanted to use her grief as determination to win the tournament in his memory.
She said: “The morning before I started playing I was really sad as my dog had passed away. But I channeled my sadness into determination in the competition and ended up winning the tournament.
“I was quite shocked that I ended up doing so well in the end as I wasn’t sure whether I was going to play in the tournament.
“I scored five birdies during the tournament but I needed to birdie the 18th to win as I had started with three bogeys.
“I managed to transform my sadness into determination. I feel like I did it for him I guess.”
Speaking about becoming the first woman to win the Nairnshire County Championship, Elliott said: “It is really cool, I wasn’t aware that I was the first woman to win the title until they told me after I had won it.”
Elliott was more emphatic in her victory at the Loretto Junior Golf Tour at Musselburgh Golf Club as she claimed the title by an incredible 31 shots. She got the club course record of -9 on her way to a total score of -22 where she only recorded one bogey during the entire tournament.
In the space of a week she won a Junior Tour Scotland tournament at Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club when she came out on top with +9 after three rounds.
She has also picked up victories at tournaments in Brora and Dornoch and got to the semi final of the Scottish Women’s Rose Bowl.
In addition, she was the top amateur player at the AIG Women’s Open qualifiers at Delamere Forest Golf Club in England in August.
She says she is pleased with how she has played this year.
“I feel like I have been quite steady with my golf,” she said.
“I have played some women events this year and made some cuts and I am pleased with how I have played.”
