Amy qualifies for British Open
28th July 2010

Rising star Amy Boulden will become one of the youngest British players ever to play in the Ricoh Ladies British Open this week after she came through qualifying against a host of top professionals.

North Wales golfer Boulden has been marked out as one of the stars of the future, but qualifying for one of the sport's Major events at Royal Birkdale near Liverpool will give her an early taste of the future by rubbing shoulders with virtually all of the world's top players.

She will be one of only two Welsh players in the event, along with Solheim Cup star Becky Brewerton - the two players coming from within a few miles of each other on the North Wales coast.

Llandudno/Maesdu player Boulden is one of only two amateurs to get through Final Qualifying for the Open, along with 15-year-old Korean Julie Yang, the Welsh Open Amateur Champion having won the event in Southerndown this summer.

At the age of 16 that makes Wales international Boulden almost the veteran of the pair, ready to take on stars such as Laura Davies, Paula Creamer, Christie Kerr, Suzann Pettersen and world No 1 Jiyai Sin, also of Korea.

"This is a major step forward for Amy in every sense of the word," said Golf Union of Wales director of player development and coaching, Nigel Edwards.

"It is a considerable achievement for her to get through final qualifying, there are a lot of very good and experienced professionals who did not manage that.

"However the experience she will gain this week will be priceless, getting to play in one of the biggest events in women's golf and also getting to see the world's best players at first hand.

"Amy has been a key part of the Welsh development system for a few years now and a vital member of the Wales ladies team who won the Home Internationals for the last two years.

"She will also be able to take all her new experiences back to the team when they try to make it a hat-trick of Home International victories at Whitchurch golf club in Cardiff later this summer.

"Everyone involved in Welsh golf will wish her all the best in an exciting week."

Boulden came through Final Qualifying at Southport golf club. Her score of 73 was level with Yang in joint seventh, enough to claim one of the 17 remaining spots with New Zealander Lynette Brooky claiming top spot with a 67.

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