Fourteen-year-old seals dramatic win over Sarah Buckerfield

Golf

FOURTEEN-year-old Emily Smith won the Ladies’ Club Championship at Royston Golf Club after a dramatic play-off at the weekend.

Tied after 36 holes with Sarah Buckerfield, the pair then went back on to the course for a four-hole strokeplay play-off, but were once again tied. The pair then set off up the first hole for the fourth time of the day and it was Smith who prevailed.

She has become the youngest ever club champion in the club’s 120-year history and has seen her handicap reduced from 20 to 11 in the last 12 months. She is now a member of the county girls’ squad and recently won the U16 County Championship as well.

Former winner Jenny Jarvis was third and Emma Logan came fourth. The Bronze Trophy, played alongside the Championship, was won by in-form Josie Seward.

Meanwhile, the ladies added to their mounting silverware collection by winning the Dorothy Johnson Team Trophy at Saffron Walden last week, while captain Karen Pearson narrowly missed out on retaining the Bowen Cup played on the same day. Pearson finished in second place, playing to her handicap in tricky conditions.

Chris Little was victorious in the final Men’s Cup competition of the year. The Viscount Hampden Challenge Bowl was presented to the club by the club President, Viscount Hampden, in October 1900. Little had a superb round of nett 66, finishing off in style with a birdie on the 18th. The seven-handicapper had a two-stroke cushion over runner-up Darren Dawson.

Seven players tied on 69 and eventually, Mick Merry finished third after the countback rule was applied.

Mark Bohan won the single stableford recently with 39 points. The left-hander has found some form of late and he played the back nine in level par to pip Richard Trigg on countback. Third spot went to Keith Pitts with 38 points.

New member Mark McMillan won the Men’s Medal played on Saturday with a fine nett 66. The 18-handicapper finished a shot ahead of Terry Allison and they were the only two players to finish under par. Scott Parnell, David Bidwell and Bob Hart all finished on level par 70.