Ladies Scratch Team Wins Again 

The ladies scratch team continued their excellent start to the season by winning their second match in the intercounty scratch league against Brampton taking 6 points to 4. One away player did not show, leaving Morag Hutcheon with a walkover. Jackie Smith narrowly lost her match, while Lynda Minton battled back from going 3 down at the start of the match to finally draw even on the 14th hole. A win on the 15th put her ahead for the first time in the match. She held on to her lead, halving the 16th and 18th, winning the 17th to win 2 up.


Scratch Team Make It A Hat-trick Of Wins

The scene was set for the conclusion of the Cambridgeshire Area Golf Union Div 1 scratch league at Gog Magog Golf club, with 3 clubs in the hunt for the title. 

Gog Magog needed 6 points to have a hint of a chance with a game in hand and Ramsey needed 6 pts to win if Walden slipped up. Walden went for the tactical route in the 2pts they needed for the title and reversed the order while Gog Magog went out all guns blazing. 

Leading from the front, Ian Macdonald and James Goodfellow took on Quinney and Smits. Gog Magog raced to a 3 up lead with back to back birdies on the 2nd and 3rd holes and an incredible par on the 1st.The Walden pairing played well but were up against an inform pairing and lost 5 down. 

Richard Southall and Callum Brookes then took on Stammers and Rusted. Again a slow start by the Walden boys who fell behind early on. However, Southall again showed his leadership with some pin seeking iron play. A birdie putt by Brookes on the 12th recovered the game. Further important putts by Southall on the 16th and 17th holes meant Walden reached the 18th 1up. Another great iron shot from Southall on the 18th meant Walden won 1up. 

The match that clinched the title for the Walden boys was Mark Reeve and Olly Tuck’s match vs Fitt and Palmer. Reeve and Tuck were never down in this match and slotted home 5 birdies. Gog Magog clawed it back to 1 down at one point but Tuck’s immaculate chip for a par saved them on the 13th hole.With Reeve being irresistible in his swinging, Walden won 5up. 

News filtered through that Ramsey won 6-0 at home to St Neots, so Waldens  4-2 win meant no need for goal difference. A jubilant captain Graham Goodman said afterwards:

“ Well this season we have been through it all from injuries,loss of form to challenging order team selections but in the end the TEAM came through and delivered a hat-trick of scratch league titles. This is the first time this has happened in the near 100 year history of Saffron Walden Golf Club. I feel so proud for all the team in what they have achieved.It has been an all round team effort from the supportive management, captains and right through to our club pro Rob McNicholas. Let the banter continue……” 

Pictured, left to right: Gary Bonner( club vice-captain), Richard Southall, Olly Tuck, Mark Reeve, Graham Goodman (scratch captain), James Goodfellow, Chris Porter(club captain), Ian Macdonald, Spencer Burlingham, Callum Brookes. Congratulations again.

Table 

1st - SWGC - 31pts 
2nd - Ramsey - 29 
3rd - Brampton Pk - 24 
4th - Gog Magog - 18 
5th - St Neots - 12


Thaxted Golfers Triumph 

The traditional Inter Village competition at the golf club attracted 16 teams, each of 4 players. Blustery conditions made golf difficult, but not for the winning team from Thaxted, who were clear winners with 108 points, 6 better than the 2nd placed team of Vilma and Roger Krinks and Lynda and David Minto. The winners, Paul Linwood, John Shaw, Steve Lillywhite and Ossie Esterhuizen, were playing together for the 3rd year running, and were delighted to win this year, having finished 3rd in 2015. They put their success down to all players managing to score when needed.

 

PGA Pro Sarah Goes For The Open

Monday this week I played my first year in the Ladies British Open qualifier. It was played at The Berkshire Golf Club, Surrey and 90 Professional Women took part. After a monsoon rain shower on 10, I dropped 2 shots after the 20 minute delay, but swiftly got back into the swing of things parring my way in from 12. Finishing with a score of +4 put me 3 shots off the qualifying score of +1. The top 25 from the 90 made the cut & I finished T41 position. The course played long off the white tees but in great condition and I would highly recommend anyone to visit and play! 

   

Thank you to everyone who supported me behind the scenes & for the people who came and watched on the day. I'm happy with the score and the way I played. It had given me a confidence boost going into my next competition & next years go again at the Ladies British Open Qualifier. 

My next event is the Ladies Titleist & Footjoy Championships Tuesday next week at Frilford Heath then a WPGA One Series event at Chestfield Golf Club on Friday.