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| Shannon McWilliam receiving her framed photos of the Curtis Cup from Club President Justin Grant |
By Nigel Bradburn
At the season end prizegiving ceremony held at Aboyne Golf Club on Friday evening, the club bestowed on Shannon McWilliam the prestigious award of Honorary Life Membership in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the Amateur Game.
Making the award, Club President Justin Grant said “It is over 20 years since Aboyne Golf Club was able to make such an award, but Shannon has had an outstanding few years culminating in being selected to play for GB&I in the Curtis Cup this season. Amongst some of her many highlights (although there are too many to list) include: -
2014
• Aged 14, youngest ever Aberdeenshire County Champion, also winning the Under 18 title later that year
• Represented European Girls team in Slovakia
2015
• 3rd in Helen Holm Scottish Open
• British Girls Team Trophy
• Nominated for the Scottish Golfer of the year
2016
• Scottish Ladies Order of Merit winner
• top 10 finish at the Alfred Dunhill Cup with Joakim Lagergren
• Broke the course record at Aboyne, 7 under par,
2017
• Runner up in the Helen Holm Scottish Open
• Won the Lady Heathcoat-Amory memorial medal for the lowest qualifying score for the
British Girls Championships
2018
• Winner at Borders Ladies championship in South Africa
• 2nd in South African Woman’s Masters – winning the Sally Little Trophy for leading Amateur
• 4th in Helen Holm Scottish Open
• Team County Champions with Aberdeenshire ladies
Shannon made her First full international cap in the Home Internationals in 2015 aged 16, taking 3 points from 5 matches. Further caps followed in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
She went on to represent GB&I as the only Scot selected at the Curtis Cup in Quaker Ridge, New York. Although the overall result was a disappointing one for GB&I, against a very strong US team,
Shannon picked up a half point for the team, and following her narrow defeat in her singles match against the World No 6 Lauren Stephenson, I can safely say that she did not look out of place mixing it with the world’s best.
For outstanding achievements in the Amateur Game, Aboyne Golf Club would like to present Shannon McWilliam with a lifetime Honorary Membership.“
Shannon, aged 18, is a former pupil at Aboyne Academy who still lives in Torphins.
In her acceptance speech Shannon said "A huge thank you to Aboyne Golf for presenting me with Honorary Membership. I can’t thank the club and members enough for the support they gave me throughout the Curtis Cup and over the years. I am very proud to be an Honorary Member."
