KirkwoodGolf: ELGA PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, September 20, 2007

ELGA PRESS RELEASE

YORKSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE MAKE WINNING
START TO COUNTY FINALS

Yorkshire launched their defence of ELGA’s county golf championship with a 6-3 win over Glamorgan at Brokenhurst Manor, Hampshire.
Meanwhile, the hosts, Hampshire, also won on the opening day of the County Finals, defeating Leicestershire & Rutland 5½-3½.
On a day of strong, swirling winds, the crowd of spectators were treated to a fine display of golf from the players, who included four Great Britain and Ireland internationals.
Hampshire’s Liz Bennett – one of the GB&I internationals – was five under when she won her singles, but Leicestershire champion Kym Larratt took her to the 17th.
In the top singles match between Yorkshire and Glamorgan three consecutive holes were exchanged with birdies.
Yorkshire captain Sue Milner was happy with the way her team opened their campaign. “I am very pleased, the girls have gone out and done what they had to do against Glamorgan - who are no pushover.”
Yorkshire won the foursomes 2-1 and then took four of the six singles. Among the strong performances was that of 16-year-old Nikki Dunn. She missed county match week because she was taking her O levels but she came straight back into the team with a 5 and 4 singles win.
English champion Naomi Edwards, her fellow GB&I international Rachel Bell and British mid-amateur champion Emma Duggleby delivered Yorkshire’s other singles points.
Hampshire are appreciating their home advantage – and particularly the spectators who are turning out to support. Team captain Bridget Moore said: “After a slightly nervy start the girls did really well.”
They too won two of the foursomes, narrowly losing the third on the 18th green. In the singles, GB&I international Kerry Smith quickly followed Liz Bennett with a point on the board. She won on the 15th, despite trailing by a hole for much of the outward nine.
Katie Thompson scored a good half while Helen Wheeler demonstrated her admirable short game skills in her 5 and 4 win.
In the second day’s play Yorkshire meet Leicestershire & Rutland while Hampshire take on Glamorgan.
Online scoring: www.englishladiesgolf.org

Match results:

HAMPSHIRE 5 1/2, LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND 3 1/2
(Hampshire names first)
Foursomes: Liz Bennett & Kerry Smith bt Tracy Bourne & Jo Morris 2 and 1; Tracey Boyes & Katie Mundy bt Jenny Cooper & Kym Larratt 2 and 1; Helen Wheeler & Layla Ahmed lost to Helen Lowe & Gemma Parkes 1 hole.
Singles: Bennett bt Larratt 3 and 1, Smith bt Cooper 5 and 3, Mundy lost to Morris 3 and 2, Katie Thompson halved with Bourne, Raffi Dyer lost to Lowe 4 and 3, Wheeler bt Parkes 5 and 4.

YORKSHIRE 6, GLAMORGAN 3
(Yorkshire names first)
Foursomes: Emma Duggleby & Naomi Edwards bt Lydia Hall & Becky Harries 5 and 4; Sara Garbutt & Rachel Bell bt Rhian Thomas & Vicky Thomas 5 and 4; Nikki Dunn & Laura Harvey lost to Gemma Bradbury & Amy Rees 2 holes.
Singles: Garbutt lost to Hall 2 holes, Edwards bt Harries 3 and 2, Bell bt Rachel Hunt 6 and 5, Lizzie Brand lost to Rees 5 and 4, Dunn bt Bradbury 5 and 4, Duggleby bt V Thomas 5 and 3.

Lyndsey Hewison, Press & PR Officer
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