Being Amy Boulden

After an historic amateur career and dream rookie campaign on the LET, the Welsh No.1 arrives in Dubai searching for her former “fearless” self

- Kent Gray

AMY BOULDEN’S FEET BARELY TOUCHED THE GROUND during a stellar amateur career. In 2008, the then 15-year-old was named BBC Wales’ Young Sportswoman of the Year after going unbeaten in singles as the mighty Red Dragon was raised in triumph for just the second time in 98 years of trying at the Ladies’ Home Internationals. The daughter of a prominent club pro, Boulden was also part of successful 2009 and 2013 teams, making her the only Welsh amateur, male or female, to win three Home International titles. Individually she won the Scottish (2012), Welsh (2013) and English (2013) amateur titles and qualified for three Women’s British Open’s at Royal Birkdale, Hoylake and St Andrews. In 2010 she was selected for the Junior Ryder Cup, playing Alison Lee and a young whippersnapper named Jordan Spieth in one of her matches in the mixed format. Justin Thomas and Ollie Schniederjans were also part of the U.S. team that eventually edged a 13½-10½ win. Boulden also played in the historic 12-12 Junior Solheim Cup tie in 2011 and was part of the victorious Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team at Nairn the following year.

Indeed, being Amy Boulden was one long joy ride and the fun continued after she turned professional. Straight offthe bat she qualified for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst which proved the impetus to 2014 Rookie of the Year honours on the Ladies European Tour (LET), a dream run dotted with four top 10s including a runner-up finish at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.

The girl from Llandudno, a coastal town in North Wales, had emulated legends like Laura Davies, Annika Sorenstam and another young upstart named Charley Hull. The LPGA Tour and major success suddenly beckoned and why not. There was nothing to suggest she couldn’t translate her amateur success into professional riches. Except, of course, golf doesn’t always work out how you hoped and imagined.