ENTRIES

The numbers were restricted to 52 and we actually had more than that number apply. However there were 3 withdrew before the closing date and a couple before/ on the day of the event. There were 43 players started the AM round and 40 the PM round. We lost 2 in the afternoon to injury. Elizabeth Bennett, Defending Champion, who herself had only returned from Sweden in the early hours of Sunday morning commented on how busy the schedule was and how tired many of them were,

THE EVENT

The first day was 36 holes qualifier with the best 16 going through. The next 2 days were Match play concluding with the Final Thursday afternoon

This was a baptism of fire for me and I cannot thank Chipping Norton Club and Members enough for all the help and support given .The Ladies Section organised Reception, Meeting and Greeting players and the scorers office and many Ball Spotters. The Managers Office, the Pro and the Greens Staff pulled out all the stops to make this a memorable event. The Greens Staff were there at 4am to ensure the greens were hand cut for each day and pin locations changed. Members from all sections of the club helped and supported the event.

RESULTS

The course record was broken by 2 strokes by Hannah Burke from Mid Herts. Two Oxfordshire Players, Katherine O’Connor and Tilly Holder played in the Semi Final but were unable to make it to the Final.

The Final was played between Sian Evans, Faversham and Ellis Keenan, Sunningdale. It was I am told a good final as very often it is an anticlimax. This went to the 16th with some good golf played by both players. It was very pleasing to see a number of Chippy members out watching, especially a number of the men who had been deprived of their days play! One notable player was Lauren Taylor aged 13 from Woburn who knocked out the holder Elizabeth Bennett and then took the eventual winner to the 22nd hole in the quarter- final.

The County Shield was on by Hertfordshire

Oxfordshire Ladies County Golf Association donated a prize for the best Under 18 performance on the first day. It was also a bonus that it went to an Oxfordshire player, Katherine O’Connor .

Christine Reeves Tournament Organiser