Bedfordshire’s Holly Aitchison (pictured below)  added another success to her 2007 roll of honour when she won the St Andrews junior ladies’ open.

She clinched her title in a low-scoring final on the Old Course when she beat the defending champion, Whitney Hillier of Australia, 1 up.  'It was a really high-quality match. There were birdies flying everywhere!” said Holly, who was two-under par at the end. “I was never down, which helps, but it was nip and tuck and Whitney came back strongly towards the end.”

Holly, 20, has already won the Portuguese championship and the Bedfordshire county title this season.  “This year has proved to me that I can win – and that I really enjoy winning.” said Holly, who plays at Bedfordshire Golf Club.

Her latest success also eased her disappointment at failing to qualify for the Women’s British Open, which was played at St Andrews. “It was fantastic to play and to win on the Old Course just a week after the Open - and after being disappointed not to qualify. It took the sting out of it.” Holly had struggled with her swing in the run-up to the tournament but found her form during the competition. She qualifying for the knockout stages in third place and won her opening match by 9&8 when she was four-under par.  She won her second round match 3&1 and marched into the final with a 6/5 win over Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey). In the other semi-final  Whitney Hillier bt Lucy Gould (Bargoed) 3&2.

Holly with the trophy