July 12, 2024
Nadene Gole Achieves A First For Australia at the R&A Senior Women’s Amateur Championship
Nadene Gole, from The Victoria Golf Club, made history by becoming the first Australian to win the R&A Senior Women's Amateur Championship. This monumental victory not only added her name to the list of golfing greats who have earned an illustrious R&A trophy but also marked a triumphant chapter in her already stellar career.
The windswept links of Saunton Golf Club in Devon, England, provided a formidable stage for the coveted 72-hole senior amateur major championship. The challenging layout covered in waist-high rough combined with strong coastal winds offered conditions that tested every golfer’s skill, mental fortitude, strategy, and resilience. The world-class field featured six of the top nine ranked senior women golfers from across the globe. Gole’s success at the second playoff hole is a story of determination, perseverance and survival.
The 55-year-old began the final round three shots behind the defending champion, England’s Jackie Foster and two shots in arrears of fellow Australian Sue Wooster. A disastrous triple bogey at the first hole left Gole six shots behind. Victory seemed unlikely! Undeterred by the setback, the determined Victorian rebounded covering the remaining 17 holes in 2-under par, hitting 16 out of 17 greens in regulation. The impressive display of ball-striking led Gole to a playoff against Foster. At the second extra hole, the 18th, Gole’s tee shot split the fairway. Her 5-hybrid approach shot finished 12 feet from the pin, a testament to her precision under pressure. Foster was unable to recover from an errant drive leaving her in long grass. This dramatic finish secured Gole's place in history. This victory was particularly sweet for Gole, who had finished runner-up to Foster at last year's event staged at Woodall Spa, England.
“I was with Jackie last year so I know what it’s like to lose,” Gole said speaking with media after the playoff win. “She’s a great player and for me to come on top this year is in many ways one of my biggest wins in golf. The fact no Australian had ever won it was on my radar and was a huge driver in me coming over again, because it’s a long way to travel. It’s a thrill, and to share it with my husband Sam makes it an even bigger thrill. I also had a lot of people back at my golf club (The Victoria Golf Club) who have supported me to come over here the last two years. I owe them a huge thanks.
“It’s unbelievable. What a week.”
Gole’s journey to this historic win was marked by an extraordinary series of accomplishments. Since entering senior competition in September 2022 after a 20-year hiatus from golf to raise her two children, Gole has amassed a staggering 14 victories at world-ranking events from 25 starts. And, held the position of the world No. 1 ranked senior woman amateur golfer for 72 consecutive weeks dating back to February 22, 2023.
In 2023, Gole enjoyed an unprecedented year by becoming the only golfer ever, at any age level, to win both the Australian National Championship and all six State Championships in the same year. That year, she also demonstrate her prowess on the international stage by securing national titles in New Zealand and Scotland. In addition, Gole finished runner-up position at the R&A Senior Women’s Amateur Championship and the Arizona State Senior Amateur Championship, as well as a tied fifth result at the USGA US Senior Amateur Championship, where she defeated three past champions en route to the quarterfinals.
These impressive achievements did not go unnoticed. Gole was awarded the Victorian Sport Awards ‘Masters Athlete of the Year’ for 2023. And, named Australian Golf Digest Senior Player of the Year for 2023—a title previously won by Peter Senior, Richard Green, and Rod Pampling.
With victory at the R&A Senior Women's Amateur Championship, Gole has earned an invitation to next year’s US Senior Women’s Open to compete against the world’s best senior professional golfers including World Hall of Famer’s such as Annika Soresntam, Karrie Webb and Laura Davies.
Gole is a brand ambassador in Australia for golf club manufacturer Tour Edge and Accor Hotels.
In January 2023, Gole joined premium golfing manufacturer Tour Edge as a Brand Ambassador in Australia.
Winner’s Bag: Nadene Gole
Here’s the gear Gole used to win the 2024 R&A Senior Women's Amateur Championship.
Driver:
Tour Edge C723 (9 degrees)
3-Wood:
Tour Edge C723 (15 degrees)
5-Wood:
Tour Edge C723 (18 degrees)
7-Wood:
Tour Edge E723 (21 degrees)
5-Hybrid:
Tour Edge E723 (25 degrees)
Irons:
Tour Edge C723 (6-AW)
Wedges:
Vokey Design SM8 (54 & 58 degrees)
Putter:
Scotty Cameron Futura 7
Golf Ball:
Titleist Pro V1x
