JOHANNESBURG (1 April 2014) – Kim Williams was presented with the 2013 Amateur of the Year award at the 22nd annual Compleat Golfer Annual Awards ceremony, held at Country Club Johannesburg on Monday, 31 March.
The occasion marked the third time that Womens Golf South Africa named Williams as the most outstanding amateur for a season and she joined the illustrious company of Ashleigh Simon, the only other amateur who has lifted the award multiple times.
Her dominance in women’s amateur golf in South Africa dates back to 2009, when Williams pushed former number one Bertine Strauss into second after a breakthrough season. She held on to the number one spot for just over three years, before she was demoted by Swaziland’s tour-de-force, Nobuhle Dlamini.
Twelve months later, Williams ascended to the top once again.
She won the 2013 Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur Championship and WGWP Pam Golding Properties Match Play and kept ahead with five more top five finishes in provincial championships.
She also captained the victorious Gauteng North teams at the 72-Hole Teams Championship and Pick n Pay SA Women’s Inter-Provincial.
Williams joined the pro ranks at the end of 2013 and has already earned more than R120,000 in her debut on the Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour.
Notwithstanding, the former number one ranked amateur was extremely proud to have this honour bestowed on her.
“To hold this award is the culmination of so much hard work last year,” Williams said. “Every time I look at this award and think about this achievement, I will be reminded that one really can achieve anything if you set your mind to it.
Kim posing with Dot
“I had two goals in my final amateur year; to put myself in contention all the time to reach greater consistency before I turn pro and to leave the amateur ranks as the number one in the country.
“It was incredibly gratifying to achieve both goals last year and this award is concrete evidence of all the sacrifices I had to make to fight my way back to the top.
“I am touched and deeply honoured that Women’s Golf SA acknowledged my commitment; it means the world to me.”
Williams celebrated her swansong with a successful run in her record fourth appearance for South Africa at The Spirit International at Whispering Pines in Texas.
The 27-year-old reeled in 11 birdies over 54 holes in the biennial championship to tie for third in the Women’s Individual Competition and sealed a top five finish in the team’s competition for South Africa alongside Lara Weinstein.
Williams earned her LET card a month later with a top 10 finish at the Lalla Meryem Qualifying School.
“Kim has always impressed with her indomitable spirit and her “never give up” attitude,” said WGSA president, Cynthia Rayner. “These qualities, combined with her undeniable talent and tenacity, carried her back to the top of the Senior Rankings.
“We are extremely proud to honour her achievements as our most outstanding amateur in 2013.”