Jen tees up for Scotland Amateur Women’s Team

By Iain Macfarlane, Scottish Golf
Image by: Christopher Young, Scottish Golf

To the younger members of the Scotland women’s team, she’s known as ‘Auntie Jen’.

It’s a nickname delivered with a real warmth by her amateur international teammates. A term of endearment.

The moniker is accepted with a smile by the golfer in question, Jennifer Saxton, who revels in the team element of top-level amateur golf.

At 29, Saxton knows her story is a little out of the ordinary and she’s happy to play along with the locker room jokes.

Saxton is one of only a handful of top-level amateur internationals who combine working life with golf.

While most of her Scotland team-mates are teenagers and in the university scholarship system, Saxton juggles golf and a full-time job.

This week, she took annual leave from her role in the marketing team at ShotScope – a company that produces tech products for golfers.

But she wasn’t destined for an end-of-season package holiday.

Instead, she lined up for Scotland at the World Amateur Team Championship in Singapore (1-4 October) as one of the nation’s top three female players.

Because of the path she has chosen to follow, Saxton brings a different perspective to the team events she plays in for Scotland.

“At the recent European Team Championships and Home Internationals our coach, Heather MacRae, a PGA professional and LET player, was known as the team mum,” admitted Saxton.

“On that basis I was dubbed ‘Auntie Jen’ by the rest of the team!

“I’m happy with that. I’ve been around the Scotland team now for four years.

“I came late to the international scene and I absolutely love being a part of it.

“If the other girls in the team want to lean on me for experience or advice, then that’s fine by me.

“It’s odd. When I played my first European Team Championships at Conwy in 2022, I was paired up with Hannah Darling who has now turned pro.

“Even though I was six or seven years older than Hannah, I was the rookie!

“Hannah had more experience at that level and took me under her wing.

“Maybe now I can assume that role for the younger players.

“I appreciate golf now a lot more than I did when I was younger.”

This year, Saxton made it to the last 32 of the R&A Women’s Amateur at Nairn and competed for Scotland at the Euros in Chantilly, France and Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa in England.

But you will also find her playing club comps at her home course, Dunfermline, and teeing it up with higher handicappers.

She just loves playing golf and always has done ever since she first picked up a club at the age of 12 at Milnathort Golf Club.

“Some might wonder why I still play club comps,” added Saxton.

“But if you’re giving someone a shot a hole and you must make birdie for a half then that can sharpen your game too.

“I find it fun and you still need to play good golf to win.

“It’s a curious thing that now when my time is limited due to work and life, my game has got better.

“As a junior golfer, I was on the fringes of international teams.

“I definitely appreciate the fact that playing for my country came late in the day for me.

“And I love representing my country. There’s no better feeling than being picked for Scotland and flying the flag at major events.

“Maybe I have more focus on my game, I put less pressure on myself because I have other things in my life and I am more accepting of things on the golf course.

“In my younger days if I hit bad shots I got really annoyed.

“Now? I’m able to move on.

“I’ve learned how to get the ball round and even if I don’t have my ‘A’ game, I can still post a score.

“I’d say that my good golf has remained steady, but my bad golf has become better which helps in difficult times.

“You hear the pros say that sometimes and it rings true with me too.”

Life is good for Saxton right now on and off the course. In August, she got engaged to boyfriend Jack and, of course, the proposal took place in St Andrews!

Golf is at the heart of everything in her life.

As part of the Scotland women’s team, Saxton appreciates the support of partners such as the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation who believe in the value of amateur sport and who provide the resources to help fund coaching and travel opportunities for Scotland’s performance players.

“I know I’m lucky to be part of a Scotland set-up that benefits from this funding,” added Saxton.

“We have a lot of raw talent in Scotland and it’s a case of how we can work together to let players flourish and reach their potential.

“I may be a bit older than most of the girls, but I know the value of being able to travel to events, to coaching camps and the like.

“I also understand the costs involved and that’s why the backing we receive is invaluable. It wouldn’t be possible without this support.

“I first got into golf aged 12 at Milnathort Golf Club, played through my teens to get to a certain level and now in my twenties have been able to push for new goals.

“I worked really hard to try and get to the Worlds in 2023, but fell just short.

“That’s why getting there this year with Scotland has meant a lot to me.”

The top of the amateur game may be dominated by the young college kids aiming for the stars, but don’t make the mistake of thinking the older players lack ambition – or talent.

Saxton added: “I still have that fire to improve each and every day.

“I want to get better and play at as high a level as possible.

“Perhaps, I just go about it slightly differently to others.

“For me I have to strike a balance between my working life and my golf, but for now I’ve got it right.”