South West regional final results
South West regional winners - view all photographs from this region.
Three pairs lead PING qualifiers at Woodbury Park
Three pairs shot sparkling scores of net 66 to lead the qualifiers at the south-west regional final of ELGA’s new competition, the PING Ladies' Four Ball Better Ball Tournament of England.
The event, at Woodbury Park in Devon, was the fourth and last regional final and the 12 qualifying pairs now head for PING’s flagship course at Gainsborough for the grand final on Wednesday, October 18.
There, they will join the qualifers from the three other regional finals to make up the field of 96 competitiors who will play-off for the championship trophy. The winning pair will also receive prizes worth up to £500 while the second and third placed pairs will each receive prizes up to the value of £100.
Already, all the qualifiers from the regional events have received a pair of ECCO shoes and a PING Collection shirt.
The excitement is already building among the grand finalists. “We’ll hike to Gainsborough if we need to,” laughed Donna Weeks and Dee Peake from St Mellion.
They birdied the 17th to return a net 69, which beat the cut-off score by one.
Four pairs tied on 70 and two went through to the grand final on countback.
Among the day’s leaders on eight-under 66 were Sue Vowles and Wendy Kemshead, whose home course is the links at Burnham & Berrow. “It made a nice change to play on an inland course,” said Sue. “This is the best thing I’ve ever won and we loved the format. The organisation was superb and we had charming companions.”
Also on 66 were Lorna Harper and Sarah Sandercock from St Enedoc. “I can’t believe we’ve done it,” said Laura. “We just came to enjoy the day and really gelled as a pair. We loved the format.” She already uses a PING driver and could be tempted to change her irons at Gainsborough!
Joining them on 66 were Karen Gosling and Julia Pracy, both six-handicappers from Marlborough. “We had good fun on a lovely course,” aid Karen. “It’s a brilliant event and we’re really looking forward to Gainsborough.”
One shot behind were Glo Slatter and Fiona Hudman of Tewkesbury Park who made the most of their chance at the regional final. They were first reserves from their club and got through when the top pair, both school teachers, were unable to play. “We feel very lucky,” said Glo. The competition has proved a great hit at their club and is already in next year’s calendar.
A local pair made it through on 68. Annabelle Strickland and Nicky Latham play at Exminster, across the estuary from Woodbury Park and they dovetailed well for a score of 68. “The medal format meant we focussed on every hole,” said Annabelle.
Among the other qualifers were Emma Stodart – who was one of ELGA’s golf development officers until recently – and Claire Scott from Rugby. They had been due to play in the Midland final but it clashed with their club championship, which Emma won. The good form continued at Woodbury Park where Emma putted like a dream and Claire opened with a net eagle on the first hole.
“The course was in excellent condition, the greens were lovely, the food was great – PING and ELGA have made this a special event for us,” said Emma.
The other qualifying events were:
South-east regional final at Langley Park, Kent, where the winning score was eight-under 65 and the cut off fell at 70.
Northern regional final at Ilkley, Yorkshire, where the winning score was six-under 67 and the cut off fell at 71.
Midlands regional final at Trentham, Staffordshire, where the winning score was six-under 67 and the cut-off fell at 72.