Abigail O’Riordan is the fitting first recipient of the Sarah Bennett Trophy for winning the OCEANTEE WPGA Series Order of Merit – and not just for the quality of her golf.
The 22-year-old PGA trainee at Royal Norwich Golf Club kept some experienced campaigners at bay to win the Series in what was only her second season as a pro.
Alison Nicholas MBE, the two-time Solheim Cup captain and 1997 US Women’s Open champion, was among those left in O’Riordan’s slipstream.
As a result, her name will be the first to be engraved on the gleaming silver salver donated by Bennett to commemorate her year as PGA Captain. All of which is wholly appropriate as O’Riordan explained.
“Sarah coached me for three years when I was in the under 18s East region squad,” she said.
“She helped me develop my game and it was really interesting being on that squad. It definitely brought me on as a player and it’s nice to come full circle and win the Sarah Bennett Trophy.
“As for the season, I’m very happy with the way things have gone. It’s very satisfying to win the Order of Merit as that shows I’ve been pretty consistent all the way through.
“It’s also very rewarding as I’ve worked hard on my game – it’s been work, practice, work, and more practice.”
O’Riordan was presented with the trophy by Bennett following the WPGA’s final event of the season, the Vivien Saunders Fourball at Trentham Golf Club, Staffordshire.
Commenting on donating the trophy and O’Riordan’s triumph, she said: “I’ve had a hugely enjoyable time as captain and the trophy is a lasting memento of it.
“And I’m delighted Abigail has won it. It’s very rewarding to see the golfers you help along the way be successful.”
