MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS 2012: WALTON HEATH PAIR TRIUMPH

 Christine and Charlotte Griffiths with their trophies (Image by courtesy of Sally Phips Hornby).

By Jo Thesiger

Christine and Charlotte Griffith from Walton Heath exceeded all expectations, by pulling off a remarkable and emotional victory in the Mothers and Daughters, 27 holes scratch foursomes, in the event's 50^th year at Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club in Richmond. 

Indeed, Charlotte, aged 18, a three-handicapper, confessed she was “over-the-moon just to be playing” with her mum who has spent the last four months recuperating from a cancer operation in December. 

Having missed out on the title by a single shot last year, Christine, a former professional who now plays off four, made it her goal to recover in time to compete again in this unique national amateur event, let alone win it!

With very little practice, she played inspirational golf with her daughter to return a two-over-par 73 in their morning round. The pair took full advantage of the shorter par-4s with birdies at the second, 11^th and 13^th. 

At one-under-par after the 13^th hole, even a disappointing double-bogey at the long, 14^th hole, couldn’t ruin their card.

After an appalling week of hail, thunder and lightning, Royal Mid Surrey was geared up for the worst of the weather but was instead blessed with beautiful sunshine, which helped the scoring. 
However, 27 holes of medal foursomes, where every shot counts, is a nerve-wracking format for the most experienced pairings. Hazards so often come into play to destroy many a score!

However, the Griffiths made it look easy, enjoying a five-shot lead after the morning 18, over the holders, Elaine and Charlotte Barrow, aged 15, from Brockenhurst Manor, who finished on 78.  Fellow Walton Heath members, Alison and Nicola Taylor lay a further shot adrift on 79, the same score as Middlesex County Champion, Tara Watters, off plus one, and her mother Mona, who plays off a much higher handicap of 23. 

The Watters are pictured on right

 by courtesy of Sally Phips Hornby.The Watters could hardly believe their score after the first nine holes.  The putts kept rolling in, as they combined brilliantly and surprisingly found themselves in contention on level par at the turn. Although thereafter they did start to drop a few shots, they continued to play steadily to win the 27-hole handicap prize convincingly.

As the wind picked up in the afternoon and fatigue began to set in, the Griffiths felt that they too squandered too many shots and were disappointed with their score of six-over-par 41 over the remaining nine holes.  However, to their relief, it was a familiar tale as all the other contenders relayed the same frustrating story.

Their outstanding morning round meant the Griffiths still took the title by a comfortable five shots from their Walton Heath friends, Alison and Nicola Taylor.

In an emotional winners' speech Charlotte, 2011 Surrey girls champion, gave her brave mum a fitting tribute and admitted that since taking up golf, aged 10, this very special victory with her mother was her greatest achievement to date.

LEADING FINAL GROSS TOTALS
Par 106 (71-35)
114 Christine and Charlotte Griffith (Walton Heath) 73 41
119  Alison and Nicola Taylor (Walton Heath) 79 40
120 Elaine and Charlotte Barrow (Brockenhurst Manor) 78 42
121 Mona and Tara Watters (Muswell Hill) 79 42; Jane and Becky Scott (Alresford) 82 39
122 Bea and Carly Cummins (Parkstone/Burhill)  79 43
126 Judy Kendall and Vicky MacDonald (Wentworth/Worplesdon) 81 45
128 Elsie Provan and Sarah Saggers (East Herts/Ipswich)  85 43
129 Louella and Lorna Hitchcock (Chigwell) 88 41; Jill Thornhill and Caroline Weeks (Walton Heath) 84 45
130 Laura and Rebecca Webb (East Berkshire) 81 49
132 Sue and Annie Stradling (Worplesdon/The Berkshire) 84 47; Shirley Donald and Kate Rowe (West Sussex) 85 46
133 Priscilla Petch and Sarah Knollys (Sunningdale)  91 42; Vi Dolton and Diane Holt (Basingstoke) 89 44; Karen and Madelaine Kuhler (Walton Heath) 90 43
134 Barbara and Sam Round (Tadmarton Heath/Cotswold Hills) 84 50; Evelyn and Martha Lewis (St George’s Hill)  88 46; Caroline Keene and Gill Loughrey (Rodway Hill/Wrag Barn) 89 45
135 Linda and Hannah Sneath (Puttenham) 91 44

LEADING FINAL NET TOTALS

1	Mona and Tara Watters	(Muswell Hill)	103.75 (67.5 and 36.25)
2	Judy Kendall and Vicky MacDonald	(Wentworth / Worplesdon)	107.25 (68.5 and 38.75)
3	Christine and Charlotte Griffith	(Walton Heath)	108.75 (69.5 and 39.25)
4	Anne and Sarah Brooks	(Royal Mid-Surrey)	108.75 (73.5 and 35.25)
5	Caroline Keene and Gill Loughrey	(Rodway Hill / Wrag Barn)	109.25 (72.5 and 36.75)
6	Bea and Carly Cummins	(Parkstone / Burhill)	110 (71 and 39)
7	Laura and Rebecca Webb	(East Berkshire)	111.25 (68.5 and 42.75)
8	Alison and Nicola Taylor	(Walton Heath)	111.5 (74 and 37.5)
9	Sue Lloyd and Jo Thesiger	(Royal Mid-Surrey / Roehampton)	112.25 (76.5 and 35.75)
10	Jane and Becky Scott	(Alresford G C)	112.75 (76.5 and 36.25)
11	Barbara and Kate O’Boyle	(Roehampton)	112.75 (69.5 and 43.25)
12	Shirley Donald and Kate Rowe	(West Sussex)	113 (73 and 40)
13	Elaine and Charlotte Barrow	(Brockenhurst Manor)	113.25 (73.5 and 39.75)
14	Louella and Lorna Hitchcock	(Chigwell)	114 (78 and 36)
15	Veronica and Holly Venables	(Royal Mid-Surrey)	114 (71 and 43)
16	Betty and Suzanne Taylor	(Walsall / Bognor Regis)	114.5 (77 and 37.5)
17	Priscilla Shaw and Natasha Cheeseman	(West Hill / R. Wimbledon)	115.5 (77 and 38.5)
18	Priscilla Petch and Sarah Knollys	(Sunningdale)	115.75 (79.5 and 36.25)
19	Mary and Rebecca Maclaren	(Wellingborough)	116.25 (81.5 and 34.75)
20	Maureen and Rosalind Gray	(Tadmarton Heath / Royal Mid-Surrey)	116.25 (79.5 and 36.75)