What a year 2023 has been for our brand ambassador and amateur golfer, Raffi Dyer.   When we asked Raffi what her golfing goals were at the start of this year, she said;

'To make the final of the Hampshire County Championship, come top 10 in the English Ladies Strokeplay, and perform well in the Critchley Salver/Liphook Scratch Cup. I'm also going to give it my best shot to qualify as an amateur, for the Women's British Open!'

Well, the year started with Raffi becoming the Hampshire Ladies County Champion at Shanklin and Sandown Golf Course - she was off to a very good start and had already smashed one of the goals she set herself.   She went on to secure a top 10 finish at the Hampshire Rose competition at North Hants Golf Club in the same month.  Soon after a solid performance, and finishing 15th at the Critchley Salver at Sunningdale, Raffi sets the lowest ever score of 5 under par at the Hayling Ladies Club Champs, to comfortably secure herself the title.   August was another great month for Raffi, where she made an impressive performance to get to the final 16 players at Ferndown in the English Amateur Championships, followed by a very convincing T2 finish in the Liphook Scratch Cup. 

But she didn't stop there.  In September, Raffi was crowned the winner of the English Ladies Champion of Champions, where the champion from each county go to compete for the title to be the Best of the Best.  The focus of the goals at the start of the year were a great foundation for Raffi to aim for, but she has surpassed her own expectations, and has shown the talent, skill and perseverance that the game requires in order to succeed.

At Forelson, we are incredibly proud of Raffi and her journey so far this year.  The dedication shown to the game - practicing at Liphook every morning at 6am, refining her nutrition and exercise plan to maximise her chances of improving, and continuing her regular coaching with Jason Banting at Silvermere have all proven to be essential towards her success.  As for being able to qualify for the British Open, after narrowly missing out on entering pre qualifying (only 0.1 away!) now at +2 her chances of entering have hugely increased for next year!

We're so excited to see what Raffi is capable of, and watching her do it in style!