For the first time since 2012 an amateur lifted the Gold Challenge Cup

The Ladies Open Gold Challenge Cup, now in its 99th year, took place on Saturday April 5th at the Roehampton Club..

The golf course was in very good condition following days of very warm sunshine and no rain.

These factors made the course fast and the early morning greens running at 11.2 on the stimp meter. By the afternoon they were even faster and affected the scores. However, this did not stop the competitors making very complimentary remarks about the beautifully presented course.

First amateur to claim the Cup since 2012

For the first time since 2012 an amateur lifted the Gold Cup!

Ella Butteriss from Beaconsfield led the field all day with two rounds of 73 for a 36-hole total of 146. This was her second Gold Cup outing. In 2024, she was second amateur and overall seventh, going on to win the Gold Rose at North Hants the next day.

Ella, now 19, began her golf in Doha aged 5, returning to England at 11, very nearly giving up the game. She is thankful that she did not! She has been club champion three times and Buckinghamshire county champion twice and has ambitions to gain her tour card.

When not golfing she is a padel tennis enthusiast. One shot behind in second place was her playing partner and good friend, amateur Luca Thompson from Pavenham Park (74,73=147).

Leading professionals in Top 5

The 2025 leading professional and in third place, three shots adrift, was Lauren Horsford (74,76=150). Surrey star, Matilde Santilli, amateur from Foxhills, was in fourth (74,77=151). Jae Bowers, professional from Prestbury, was fifth, also on 151 (73,78), followed by 2015 winner of the Cup and Roehampton regular, professional Hannah Ralph, from Blackmoor on 154 (78,76).

2026 is the Centenary Year

Roehampton Club would like to acknowledge and thank Russell-Cooke Solicitors for their continued support for this event.

Next year, in 2026, we will celebrate the centenary of the Gold Cup on Saturday April 11th – a unique occasion in the history of ladies’ golf.

Report by Roehampton Golf Club member Caroline Scallon

For more amateur news click here.