‘Ellie’, who is attached to Rockliffe Hall, came from four shots back on the final day to win the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open on Saturday.
A birdie on the 17th saw her retake the lead before she sealed victory with a par on the last hole for a five-under final round of 66 and three-round score of -13.
It was a first European Tour victory at the 210th attempt for the 37-year-old, who pipped Whitney Hillier, Alexandra Fosterling and Anna Foster to the title at Golfpark Holzhausern.
“It’s a dream come true and what makes it so special is that it hasn’t happened overnight – it’s something I’ve worked hard for over the best part of 20 years,” said Ellie, speaking as she took a replica of the distinctive Swiss Open cow trophy back to Rockliffe.
The distinctive Swiss Open trophy on display at Rockliffe Hall (Image: Peter Barron)
She first joined the Ladies European Tour in 2012 after spending four years playing as an amateur for University of Denver. However, she revealed she considered quitting after a disappointing year in 2025.
“At the end of last year, I lost my full playing status on the tour. I was in limbo and I asked myself whether I should carry on,” she admitted. “I only wanted to play if I could still be competitive, and the answer was that I genuinely believed I could still win.”
She described the Swiss Open triumph as “life-changing” because it now secures her status on the tour for the next two years.
“A lot of people underestimate how hard it is to win on the tour because the standard is so high and getting higher every year,” added Ellie, whose previous best finish was also at the Swiss Open when she was fifth in 2021.
“I’d never really been in contention to win before, so I’m proud of the way I coped with the pressure over the last few holes and took my chance.”
Yet the week started badly when her flight landed in Switzerland without her clubs, which were stuck back at Amsterdam.
A former player offered Ellie the use of her clubs but, thankfully, her own arrived just in time for her to have nine holes of practice before the tournament began.
Ellie is the daughter of Ralph Givens, who has been a well-known professional at Blackwell Grange and Stressholme, in Darlington, and now teaches at Oakleaf Golf Complex, at Newton Aycliffe.
She started playing golf at Blackwell as a six-year-old, when her dad worked there, along with her mum, Lesley, who passed away in 2018.
“All my family, including my grandparents, have always been so supportive, and I know they would all be really proud to know I’ve achieved my dream,” she said.
Congratulations have flooded in, including messages from local golf clubs, former teachers, and classmates from Polam Hall School. “The reaction has been amazing and really moving,” she said.
She also thanked her clothing sponsor, Swing Out Sister, and Noth Yorkshire Physiotherapy for their “incredible support”.
Ellie, who is an honorary member of Blackwell Grange Golf Club, is next scheduled to compete in the Irish Open, starting at the K Club on August 27.
“There’s so much I still want to achieve,” she said. “Now I’ve done it once, there’s no reason why I can’t do it again.
“I just want to continue trying to win tournaments and, hopefully, this will encourage young girls and show them what can be achieved. You just have to believe in yourself and keep going.”