1952 Women’s Amateur: Moira Paterson wins at Troon

Moira Paterson won the 1952 Women’s Amateur at Troon in Troon, South Ayrshire, beating Frances Stephens won on 38th hole in the final.

Updated 23 October 2026

Walk this draw in the The Women’s Amateur Championship room.

Edition: 49th
Dates: 19 June 1952
Course: Troon, Troon, South Ayrshire
Format: match play
Champion: Moira Paterson · age 28 · Scotland
Champion's title: 1st Women’s Amateur title
Runner-up: Frances Stephens
Final: won on 38th hole (36-hole final)
Losing semifinalists: Helen Burton and Mae Murray
Defending champion: Kitty MacCann

What happened at the 1952 Women’s Amateur

Three down at lunch after her second shot to the 18th trickled into a bunker, and five down at the 24th, Moira Paterson won four holes from the turn in 5, 3, 4, 4 to square the final.

At the 38th hole Frances Stephens, her ball lying badly at the side of the green, half-topped it beyond the pin after Paterson had almost holed a run-up, giving Scotland its first winner since 1938.

Final, Moira Paterson v. Frances Stephens. Paterson twice fought back from five down, won four holes from the turn in 5 3 4 4, and at the 38th Stephens, her ball lying badly at the side of the green, half-topped it beyond the pin after Paterson had almost holed a run-up.

The draw

Every match is recorded through the quarterfinal.

The final, 1952 Women’s Amateur

Winner		Beaten	Result
Moira Paterson	def.	Frances Stephens	won on 38th hole

Semifinals, 1952 Women’s Amateur

Winner		Beaten	Result
Frances Stephens	def.	Mae Murray	5 & 3
Moira Paterson	def.	Helen Burton	3 & 2

Quarterfinals, 1952 Women’s Amateur

Winner		Beaten	Result
Mae Murray	def.	Jeanne Bisgood	won on 19th hole
Frances Stephens	def.	R. E. Garrett	7 & 6
Helen Burton	def.	Jacqueline Gordon	5 & 4
Moira Paterson	def.	Betty Singleton	1 up

How this was built

Every value is shown as recorded in GNN's Women’s Amateur data set (research collected through 20 October 2026). "unknown" means no source confirmed it; nothing is estimated. Where sources disagree, the R&A's own record is used.

Data: womens-amateur.json.