ROYAL PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND 1969
This championship has a very special value for me because Mom won it in 1927.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Womens_Amateur_Championship
In 1963, Mum suggested that I go play it instead of playing the Girl’s Championship because she thought I would learn more.
It was a great moment because Brigitte Varangot won and on the same course where Mom had won in 1927.
Then I played it almost every year until 1969 when I ended up winning, to the delight of Mom who had always been with me.
I had won the qualification several times but could not win this championship which was played over 6 days and in match play. It was to always win over 18 holes in match play. You could always run into someone playing their best over 18 holes.
This is kind of what happened to me in 1967 when I qualified 1st and lost in the first round against the French Martine Cochet. Following this part, Mom had the wonderful word: "It might be a blessing in disguise!" (This can be a hidden benefit).
It probably was because, instead of playing 4 more days, I returned to Paris and left for the USA earlier than expected where, a few days later, I won the US Open!
I won it at the Royal Portrush, Rory McIlroy Course, a typical seaside course in Northern Ireland.
One of the factors that helped me win it was seeing Roberto de Vicenzo the previous November who gave me some tips for playing on this kind of course (wind and rain in general!). Especially low ball.
In particular, I played many club tee 1 irons that allowed me to keep the ball low without being caught in the wind.
With Simone Thion de la Chaume, my mother, who won it in 1927. We are the only mother and daughter to have won it!
