Ann Starkey Trophy Finals Day 2026 at Hadden Hill Golf Club

14 August, 2026

Hadden Hill Golf Club hosted this year’s Ann Starkey Trophy Finals Day on Friday 14th August.

Studley Wood competed against Drayton Park and Oxford Ladies against Feldon Valley in the morning semi-finals on a hot and sunny day with temperatures higher than originally forecasted.

The morning matches got underway and we saw some good golf. The result from the first semi-final came in during the early afternoon and Drayton Park were through to the afternoon final. The result of the second semi-final between Oxford Ladies and Feldon Valley was far from clear, with the middle match all square after the 18th and play continued play down the 1st hole, before the third match finished on the 18th green and Feldon Valley were confirmed as through to the afternoon final.

The turnaround before the afternoon final was extremely tight. With the temperature now over 30 degrees, Christine Bishop, our County President, met with the team Captains and put forward a number of options for the teams to consider for the final, including the offer of buggies for the afternoon matches, for which the County would pay due to the exceptional circumstances. The team Captains conferred with their players and decided to continue as planned – 18 holes match play golf with all the players gratefully choosing to use a buggy. Numerous bottles of water were given out throughout the day to help keep the players hydrated.

The afternoon matches got underway at 3 pm and there was now a gentle breeze as well as some cloud cover which helped. The first Drayton Park pair won their match on the 16th hole. This was followed a little later with a second win for Drayton Park and the middle match who were still out on the course were now able to come in as we had an overall result. Congratulations to Drayton Park on winning the 2026 Ann Starkey Trophy.

Drayton Park – the 2026 Ann Starkey Trophy winning team

Throughout the day, we saw camaraderie and some good golf. After the final, tea and cake followed in the clubhouse prior to the trophy presentation by our County President, Christine, who was suddenly loudly interrupted by the Government’s Severe Alert warning which resulted in a few minutes of surprise and discussion as phone after phone in the clubhouse sounded a piercing alarm!

Christine Bishop presenting the Ann Starkey Trophy to Lynne Tattersall, Drayton Park Team Captain

Thank you to Hadden Hill Golf Club for the warm welcome and the time and effort put in by the Club and its team to make the day a success. A big thank you to Jacqui Mullins (County Delegate) and her team of Hadden Hill ladies who came out in force to support the County. Their enthusiasm, encouragement and support helped create a wonderful atmosphere and was much appreciated. Jacqui and her team of ladies were out on the course ball spotting on numerous holes which was very helpful to the players.

Thank you to Christine Bishop, County President, for her invaluable help and support on the day.

Lorraine Jones
Knockouts Organiser 2026