World number one Nadene Gole made history as she successfully defended her title at the English Senior Women’s Stroke Play Championship, securing a one-shot victory at Abbeydale Golf Club.The
The Australian closed on +6 for the tournament with rounds of 72, 78 and 75 to become the first overseas player to win the championship in successive years and the first since Jackie Foster in 2016 and 2017 to go back-to-back.
She said: “Wow it’s fabulous. Jackie Foster did it 10 years ago. Any win is a wonderful win, but to know it’s a back-to-back as an international is a fabulous feeling to have.
“I think this one was a little more difficult. Last year, I had a bit of run there [at Gerrards Cross] on the back-nine, but this course is very challenging, and Julia [Brook] played very well up until the last five holes.
“I never know how much longer I’ve got to play or compete at this level, so I just knew I had to come back and defend.“I tried not to be too nervous. I haven’t played a lot of golf in the last six or seven weeks so I felt a little bit rusty out there for a while, but I wanted to come out and enjoy it as much as I could.”
Asked about whether we would see her return to go for a record three-times in a row in 2027 when the event goes to Sheringham, Gole added: “Well, I would love to come back! I’ll never say never! I think tonight, we’ll have a very quiet dinner and maybe a glass of champagne to celebrate!”
Starting the final day two shots behind Julia Brook (Walton Heath), Gole steadily worked her way into contention on a testing day in South Yorkshire. Brook, held firm early on, but the pair were soon tied at the top after 12 holes.
However, the momentum shifted decisively on the par-5 14th, where Brook suffered an unfortunate triple. Sensing her opportunity, Gole capitalised in clinical fashion. A steady par on the same hole was followed by a crucial birdie on the 15th, a swing that saw the defending champion move four shots clear with three holes remaining.
Despite opening up that cushion, there was still late drama as Gole bogeyed both the 17th and 18th to bring the chasing pack back into contention. However, she held her nerve to secure a narrow victory over 2024 champion Kerry Smith (Waterlooville). The England Golf Senior Women’s standout produced one of the rounds of the day with a superb 72 (-1) to finish 2nd on +7, just one shot behind Gole.
In 3rd was Catryn Geleijnse of The Netherlands, followed by Brook in 4th, whose challenge faded away down the stretch. Elsewhere, Germany’s Kristina Eich had a day to remember, setting a new women’s course record at Abbeydale with a superb 71 (-2) in the final round.
In the age categories, Smith claimed the 50–54 prize, while Gole topped the 55–59 division. Sue Wooster (Australia) won the 60–64 category, and Caroline Berry (Royal Liverpool) lifted the Christine Willis Salver for players aged 65 and over. Check out the final leaderboards here.
She said: “Wow it’s fabulous. Jackie Foster did it 10 years ago. Any win is a wonderful win, but to know it’s a back-to-back as an international is a fabulous feeling to have.
“I think this one was a little more difficult. Last year, I had a bit of run there [at Gerrards Cross] on the back-nine, but this course is very challenging, and Julia [Brook] played very well up until the last five holes.
“I never know how much longer I’ve got to play or compete at this level, so I just knew I had to come back and defend.“I tried not to be too nervous. I haven’t played a lot of golf in the last six or seven weeks so I felt a little bit rusty out there for a while, but I wanted to come out and enjoy it as much as I could.”
Asked about whether we would see her return to go for a record three-times in a row in 2027 when the event goes to Sheringham, Gole added: “Well, I would love to come back! I’ll never say never! I think tonight, we’ll have a very quiet dinner and maybe a glass of champagne to celebrate!”
Starting the final day two shots behind Julia Brook (Walton Heath), Gole steadily worked her way into contention on a testing day in South Yorkshire. Brook, held firm early on, but the pair were soon tied at the top after 12 holes.
However, the momentum shifted decisively on the par-5 14th, where Brook suffered an unfortunate triple. Sensing her opportunity, Gole capitalised in clinical fashion. A steady par on the same hole was followed by a crucial birdie on the 15th, a swing that saw the defending champion move four shots clear with three holes remaining.
Despite opening up that cushion, there was still late drama as Gole bogeyed both the 17th and 18th to bring the chasing pack back into contention. However, she held her nerve to secure a narrow victory over 2024 champion Kerry Smith (Waterlooville). The England Golf Senior Women’s standout produced one of the rounds of the day with a superb 72 (-1) to finish 2nd on +7, just one shot behind Gole.
In 3rd was Catryn Geleijnse of The Netherlands, followed by Brook in 4th, whose challenge faded away down the stretch. Elsewhere, Germany’s Kristina Eich had a day to remember, setting a new women’s course record at Abbeydale with a superb 71 (-2) in the final round.
In the age categories, Smith claimed the 50–54 prize, while Gole topped the 55–59 division. Sue Wooster (Australia) won the 60–64 category, and Caroline Berry (Royal Liverpool) lifted the Christine Willis Salver for players aged 65 and over. Check out the final leaderboards here.
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org