No Eurovision partying for those who had to be back on the tee this morning….. Caz Parkes-Walley (Lutterworth) and Ellie York (Lutterworth) were back in action for the 36 hole Championship Final with Phil Askew as their referee. This well-matched pair set off in good spirits as the sun burned off the early morning fog. The lead went back and forth with some excellent golf being played. Caz took an early lead, winning the first two holes but Ellie came back to make it all square on the 6^thand then won the 7^th with a birdie but the lead didn’t last and they turned all square. After winning a hole each the match was all square through the 13^th but Caz won 4 of the last 5 holes to finish the first round 4 up.

After a quick lunch they were out again and both played some phenomenal golf with Caz parring the front 9 in 35 shots and Ellie making 36. On the turn Caz was 5 up and although Ellie chipped away at that lead the Championship was eventually won by Caz (5&3) with a fourth birdie on the 15^th hole.

The final of the Russell Trophy saw Lisa Porter (Lingdale) up against Tracey Bates (Willesley Park) in a one round match refereed by Bea Cotton. This was another tight game between two talented players. (A special mention should go to Lisa’s son Callum who caddied for her in matching red and black team colours and was plainly proud to be supporting his Mum) Both players won holes in turn and at halfway Tracey was 1 up. The 10^th hole was halved and then Tracey won another before conceding the 12^th to Lisa. With Tracey still 1 up they halved the next 3 holes, Tracey won the 16^th and then lost the last two holes. Back to all square they were back on the 1^st tee to do it all over again watched by a large group of spectators, who saw Tracey win this 19^th hole and the Russell Trophy.

Amanda Morgan (Championship Organiser)

The Championship Quarter-finals got underway at the start of a bleak grey day, but the standard of
golf provided the bright spots! First match off was between Caz Parkes-Walley (Lutterworth) and
Maz Sharpe (Rothley Park). Both players enjoy Matchplay and they were very close over the front 9
holes where Maz apparently only dropped one shot so her home advantage was showing. After a
real tussle Caz eventually won the match 2&1. The next match was the two Juniors who had been
drawn together…. Scarlett Stevenson (Longcliffe) had the best nett over 36 holes on the Qualifying
Day and Gabriella Crowfoot (Kirby Muxloe) had been close behind. This was another tight match
which went to the 17th hole where Gabby won 2&1. It was a real treat to see such a high standard of
golf from two of the County Juniors. Last year’s Champion Tracy Bourne (Willesley Park) was up next
against Gemma Parkes-Walley (Lutterworth) and this finished 4&3 to Tracy after some great golf.
Holly Waterfield (Lutterworth) and Ellie York (Lutterworth) were the last match to go out and
provided some real excitement for the spectators. This match went all the way to the 18th with Ellie
winning 1 up.
The afternoon Championship semi-finals were between Caz and Gabriella then Tracy and Ellie. Again
Caz’s match went to the 17th hole before she won 2&1 against junior Gabby. It was a very close
match during which Caz said they had worked out that her golf trolley was almost the same age as
Gabriella! In the second semi-final it was Ellie who won 4&3 after a match which early on could have
gone either way. Ellie was down after a few holes but managed to win holes 4&5. On Hole 9 both
players sank long putts to halve it but then Ellie birdied the 10th to go 3 up before winning the match
on the 15th .
After a couple of late withdrawals during the week from The Russell Trophy Quarter- finals we had
some new names in the line-up and some exciting matches to come. Lisa Porter (Lingdale) and Mel
Walker (Longcliffe) took their match to the 15th where Lisa won 4&3. Sarah Storer (Cosby) played
against Clare Bailey (Birstall) and had another close fought match going all the way to the 17th where
Clare won 2&1. Tracey Bates (Willesley Park) was drawn against Leona Harris (Cosby) and Tracey was
obviously on fire, winning 8&7. Last year’s Russell Trophy winner Rachel East (Cosby) was out last
against County President Alison Horak (Ullesthorpe) and they walked back in from the 15th where
Rachel had won 4&3.
Russell Trophy Semi-final matches were between Lisa and Clare, followed by Tracey and Rachel.
These were both close matches which went all the way to the 18th Hole where Lisa Porter won 1 up
and Tracey Bates won 2 up.
Day 3 tomorrow will be the Finals of the Championship (36 holes) and The Russell Trophy (18 holes)
and the players tee off at 9.40 and 9.50 in the morning.

The sun shone on the 36 competitors and Rothley looked deceptively inviting! The well-prepared course proved a tough challenge, particularly if your ball strayed into the rough, and the greens were not for the faint-hearted.

Amongst the familiar talent we had some new names, some of whom have qualified to go forward to the Quarter Finals next weekend.

The top 8 players who are available to play in the Championship Quarter Finals include 3 Juniors…so in order of placing today we have Caz Parkes-Walley (Lutterworth), Tracy Bourne (Willesley Park), Holly Waterfield (Lutterworth), Scarlett Stevenson (Longcliffe), Gabriella Crowfoot (Kirby Muxloe), Ellie York (Lutterworth), Gemma Parkes-Walley (Lutterworth) and Rothley’s own Maz Sharpe.

For the Russell Trophy Quarter Finals we have Eleanor Parkinson (Willesley Park), Lisa Porter (Lingdale), Tracey Bates (Willesley Park), Rachel East (Cosby), Fiona Sharman (Luffenham Heath), Sarah Storer (Cosby), Clare Bailey (Birstall), and County President Ali Horak (Ullesthorpe)

Full results can be seen at the following link and then selecting Qualifying Round 2 from the drop down menu at the top.

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/9148982695844394117

The draw for the Championship and Russell Trophy quarter finals next weekend can be seen on the same page but by selecting Championship Quarter finals from the drop down menu.

Tee times for those playing in the Quarter finals can be seen at :-

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/9148982694133118083

and then selecting Championship Quarter finals.

Well played ladies and see you all next week.

Amanda Morgan

Tournament Organiser

CALLING ALL JUNIOR GIRLS!!!!

Let’s get the season going with a get-together and loads of
information about what’s available for YOU this year!!
Beedles Lake is the Place – Friday March 24th
6.30pm is the Time!

click here for all the information!

Our very own Anita Higginson, L & R LCGA Junior Organiser has been selected as a finalist in the forthcoming England Golf Awards. Anita has been nominated in the Women and Girls Trailblazer Award

Anita has been involved in golf in Leicestershire for over 30 years, Anita is fantastically creative and her infectious positivity has inspired hundreds of female golfers in the county. She is involved in The Foxes Pathway Tour and GolfSixes league and is fully committed to helping girls enjoy the game and make new friendships.

It takes a special kind of person to work with young people and Anita is one of those people. Her commitment and passion for growing the game of Junior golf cannot be underestimated. Together with her team, she  has broken down barriers giving hundreds of youngsters within the County the opportunity to play golf.

Finalist in the  Participation and Development Coach of the Year category is Amy  Taylor who is the PGA teaching Professional at Hinckley Golf Club

Amy’s Hotshots Academy now has over 80 members with packages tailored to encourage and engage young golfers and secured an indoor venue to ensure participation would stay stroke in the winter. She also provides taster sessions and follow-up courses for females wanting to take up the game in Leicestershire.

England Golf received a record number of nominations this year showcasing the great work being done across the country.

The awards evening will take place on Thursday 2 March at the Hilton Deansgate Manchester and we wish  Anita and Amy the very best of luck.