Louise Kenney gets a congratulatory hug from her coach, SGU staff man Spencer Henderson, after she finished fourth and won the Angela Uzielli Trophy in the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Royal Aberdeen last Friday. Image by Cal Carson Golf Agency (click on it to enlarge).

I owe it all to coach Spencer, says Louise Kenney

Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk was on hand at Balgownie last week when Fifer Louise Kenney finished the top Scot in joint fourth place with Europe's top-ranked female amateur, Lucie Andre, at the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship.

The Angela Uzielli Trophy, which was formerly the trophy to be won in the British women's mid-amateur championship (now discontinued), went to Louise for finishing the leading Under-25 player.

Scottish girls champion in 2000 and beaten finalist (by Heather MacRae) in 2001, 2009 has been a season in which Louise reached the final of the Scottish women's amateur championship at Southerness and now her best ever finish in a "British event."

Going into the tournament at Royal Aberdeen, Louise had a clear lead in the SLGA Order ot Merit, so she must have gone further ahead at the top of the table.

We asked her for her own assessment of her 2009 campaign.

Louise Kenney says:

"I feel this season has been my best yet by far. I am very pleased by how well I've played in all the major competitions and consistency has been the key for me. The highlight so far has been my fourthth place finish at the British stroke-play.

"I would never have had the season I've had without my coach, Spencer Henderson. He has done so much work with me over the past couple of years and has transformed my swing and overall golf game.

"I definitely owe all my achievements to him. He is a fantastic coach and gives me so much encouragement and belief in my game."