Harley Smith (The Rayleigh) and Katie Stephens (Middlesbrough) delivered a golf spectacle at Seaton Carew that will be talked about for years.
In a day filled with jaw-dropping shots and nerve-wracking moments, these two were crowned the 2024 English Amateur golf champions, showing the world what sheer determination looks like on the greens.
Men’s Final: A Rollercoaster Ride
Smith started the 36-hole final like a man possessed, blazing through the first 13 holes to take a 7-up lead over Will Tate (The Cavendish).
Now, if you thought that was game over, you’d be sorely mistaken. Tate, in a move that would make Lazarus proud, clawed his way back into contention, forcing the match into an extra 37th hole.
However, Smith’s magic touch with the flat stick proved too much as he clinched the victory with a scintillating finish.
The day began with both players trading pars for the first three holes. Smith then rolled in a 10-footer for birdie on the 4th, setting off an incredible streak.
He wedged it close on the 7th for birdie and followed that up with a jaw-dropping eagle from 91 yards on the 9th. Six holes on the trot and a 6-up lead – talk about a clinic!
But Tate wasn’t about to roll over. He capitalized on a Smith error on the 10th and pulled two holes back, including a brilliant up-and-down from 70 yards on the 17th.
Smith finished the morning session with a solid birdie on the 18th, holding a six-hole advantage at the break.
After a quick pit stop, Tate came out swinging, sinking a 30-footer on the 2nd and hitting the green on the 6th for another birdie.
The gap was closing fast. But just when it seemed Tate might pull off the comeback of the century, Smith delivered a déjà vu moment by holing out for eagle from 81 yards on the 9th.
Tate kept the pressure on, making another birdie on the 11th and a spectacular approach on the 18th to force an extra hole.
Unfortunately, his tee shot went out of bounds, giving Smith the edge he needed to secure the title.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Smith said, echoing the sentiments of everyone who witnessed the battle.
Women’s Final: A Nail-Biter to the End
Meanwhile, in the women’s final, Katie Stephens and Shivani Karthikeyan (Peterborough Milton) put on a masterclass in competitive golf. The lead swapped hands six times, neither player ever more than two holes ahead.
Karthikeyan drained two monstrous putts on the 34th and 35th holes to push the match to the final hole, but a costly mistake handed Stephens a hard-fought 2-up victory.
Karthikeyan jumped to a 2-up lead early on, but Stephens, playing on home turf, fought back with crucial par saves and a pivotal 25-foot birdie on the 17th.
The match was back and forth, with not a single hole halved on the back nine of the first 18 holes.
As the second 18 began, Karthikeyan hit the rough, allowing Stephens to go 2-up. Yet, Karthikeyan responded swiftly, levelling the match by the 4th hole.
The match continued in this thrilling fashion, with Stephens edging ahead only for Karthikeyan to draw level repeatedly.
Ultimately, it was Karthikeyan’s errant tee shot on the 36th hole that opened the door for Stephens.
She capitalised, hitting the green and securing her victory. “It feels surreal! I can’t believe it but it feels pretty good,” said Stephens, visibly ecstatic after her triumph.
Reflections on a Phenomenal Tournament
Both Smith and Stephens demonstrated why golf is as much a mental game as it is about skill.
Smith’s eagle on the 9th will be talked about in clubhouses for years, while Stephens’ resilience in the face of fierce competition exemplifies the spirit of the game.
Smith is now off to Scotland to represent England in the Home Internationals, eager to add another feather to his cap.
Stephens plans to relax and celebrate her victory with family, a well-deserved break after a week of intense competition.
For the full scorecards and previous day reports, you can check out the detailed breakdown here.
This year’s English Amateur Golf Championship at Seaton Carew was nothing short of spectacular, setting a high bar for the future.
