Some phots from the County Championship 2022

This year our host venue was the prestigious Luffenham Heath Golf Club and they made us very welcome over the three days of the Championships. The weather was gloriously dry and sunny, contributing to very challenging course conditions, particularly as regards the greens. The rolling Rutland landscape was enjoyed, or at least experienced, by a starting field of 35 players on the Qualifying Day who all spoke of the “fiery” conditions they found. There were several good rounds throughout the day but stand-out moments include last year’s champion(Jo Morris of Willesley Park) hitting a Hole-In-One on the 9^th during the second round, and Junior Holly Waterfield (Lutterworth) shooting a gross score of 1 under par also in the afternoon.

There are several prizes for this Strokeplay Qualifying Day and these were won as follows:

Cathy Stephens Trophy (Best gross over 36 holes):  Holly Waterfield 75 + 71 = 146

Best nett over 36 holes:  Clare Bailey (Birstall) nett 75 + 74 = 149  (gross 85 + 84 = 169)

2^nd nett over 36 holes (on countback): Doreen Brown (Scraptoft)  nett 75 + 74 =149  (gross 95 + 94 =189)

Senior’s prize for best gross : Tracy Bourne (Willesley Park) 74 + 81 = 155

Junior Trophy for best nett : Holly Waterfield ( Lutterworth) 71 + 67 =138  ( gross 146)

Junior voucher (best placed Jnr in the Championship): Holly Waterfield (Lutterworth)

Host Club Prize (to the player with the best gross for the last 18 holes of the qualifying round who doesn’t win any other prize): Clare Warman (Luffenham Heath)

The top 8 players went through to the following weekend’s knockout rounds, playing for the Lytton Baker Cup, and the next 8 Players returned to compete for the Russell Trophy. Quarter Finalists for the Championship were Holly Waterfield (Lutterworth) Jo Morris (Willesley Park) Tracy Bourne (Willesley Park) Caz Parkes-Walley (Lutterworth) Karen Haynes (Luffenham Heath) Diana Miller (Lingdale)Francesca Brimm (Glen Gorse) and Victoria Mayfield (Rothley Park) 

The next 8 players who were available to play in the Russell Trophy Quarter Finals were Clare Bailey (Birstall) Rachel East (Cosby) Clare Warman (Luffenham Heath) Beth Johnson (Longcliffe) Gabriella Crowfoot (Kirby Muxloe) Suzanne Pretty (Longcliffe) Sally Jee (Luffenham Heath) and Alison Horak (Ullesthorpe)

So the stage was set for some tight matches on Day 2, which is indeed what happened….two long-standing friends from Junior team days started our morning, and Holly won 4 & 2 against Victoria. Impressively, Victoria promptly offered her services as a caddy to Holly for the semi-finals. Karen beat Caz on the 18^th, Jo beat Francesca on the 19^th, and Tracy beat Diana 2 & 1. Semi- final matches were between Holly and Karen and Jo and Tracy. An exciting match between the two big hitters Holly and Karen ended on the 18^th with Holly     1- up and going through to Sunday’s Final. Jo and Tracy also battled it out to the 18^th where Tracy took the honours 1-up.

In The Russell Trophy Quarter final matches Clare Bailey played Alison, winning 1-up , Beth played junior Gabriella, winning 3 & 2, Rachel played Sally, winning 4 & 3, and Suzanne  beat Clare Warman 4 & 2. Semi-finals were played between Beth and Clare with Beth winning      3 & 2, and the match between Rachel and Suzanne was won by Rachel 4 & 2.

The final match in the Russell Trophy swung each way between Rachel East (Cosby) and Beth Johnson (Longcliffe) so after 9 holes it was all square. After 12 holes Beth was 1 up, but Rachel dug in to win the next 4 holes, winning the match 3 & 2. The referee Bea Cotton commented on the good spirit between the players, having enjoyed refereeing the match.

The Championship Final is played over 36 holes and Holly and Tracy both played some brilliant golf to end the first 18 holes with Tracy 3 up. After a quick lunch they were out again with Holly gradually eating into Tracy’s lead until they were all square on Hole 10. Tracy won the next two holes with a birdie on Hole 11 and a bogey on Hole 12. Hole 13 was halved but then Tracy won 14 to be 3 up and when Holes 15 & 16 were halved we had our 2022 Champion.

Report from Day 1 of the 2022 L&R LCGA Championships

In perfect conditions on the prestigious and tough Luffenham Heath Golf Course, the Qualifying Day
brought 35 players together to battle it out over 36 holes of stroke play to win through to next
week’s Knockout stages. There were many impressive performances but the one that stood out was
the Junior Holly Waterfield (Lutterworth) who shot a first round of 75 gross and followed it up with a
second round which at 71 was 1 under par. She finished the day 7 shots ahead of the field. In second
place after today was last year’s Champion Jo Morris (Willesley Park) who topped off 2 strong rounds
with a remarkable Hole In One on the 9 th hole in her second round.
The nett score leader was Holly (138,) with Clare Bailey (Birstall) in second position with nett 149 (on
countback from Doreen Brown, Scraptoft)
The 8 players going forward to the Championship matchplay are Holly Waterfield(Lutterworth),Jo
Morris (Willesley Park) Tracy Bourne (Willesley Park) Caz Parkes-Walley (Lutterworth) Karen Haynes
(Luffenham Heath) Diana Miller (Lingdale) Francesca Brimm (Glen Gorse) and Victoria Mayfield
(Rothley Park)
The 8 qualifiers for the Russell Trophy are Clare Bailey (Birstall) Rachel East (Cosby) Clare Warman
(Luffenham Heath) Beth Johnson (Longcliffe) Gabriella Crowfoot (a Junior from Kirby Muxloe)
Suzanne Pretty (Longcliffe) Sally Jee (Luffenham Heath) and Alison Horak (Ullesthorpe)
Our thanks go to our hosts at Luffenham Heath who ensured a memorable day was enjoyed by all.
We now look forward to the knockout rounds there next weekend.

The tee times for the Championship and Russell Trophy quarter finals can now be found at:- 

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/8091118180694504721 

LRLCGA have succesfully renewed thier Safe Golf Accreditation - details of which can be found under our Safeguarding Tab. 

For the first time in the history of County Girls going to Woodhall we had sunshine & no rain!!

Thirteen team players joined Captain Holly & Vice Captain Katie for two days of golf on the Hotchkin & Bracken courses 

to expand their experience! Judging from all the smiling faces a good time was had by all!

Not only did the golf experience grow but the team bonding was amazing! What a great group of girls! Huge thanks to County Captain Jo for organising everything and to Lyndsey & Julie for running the weekend with Jo!

So sorry I couldn't be there due to a positive Covid test on Saturday morning! Gutted!

Well done girls - you do your County proud!!

See Junior Gallery 2022/Coaching for pics!!

  Anita

20/03/22