SOUTH WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS
High Post Golf Club - 14,15 & 16 July 2009

RESULTS:

Trophy winners.   

Matchplay

Overall qualifying scores.       

Qualifying scores by county

Hayley Davis with Katherine Cairns trophy for best gross on qualifying day


Second flight winner, Jamie Lee Casling, with Wiltshire's president, Phoebe Lumley

AN EAGLE FINISH DECIDES THE NEW SOUTH WEST CHAMPION
A stunning birdie-eagle finish clinched victory for Devon's Julia Norman in the English Women's Golf 2009 South West Championship final at High Post golf club. Julia and her opponent, 16 year old Dorset County champion, Hayley Davis, were neck and neck until the 17th tee. A two at the par-3 17th put Julia one shot ahead and then, to the delight of the assembled spectators, she holed an eagle putt on the par-5 18th to take the title.

This year's Championship was hosted by Wiltshire and the selected venue was High Post Golf Club near Salisbury. High Post is one of the most popular courses in Wiltshire and proved to be a tough but fair test for the region's top players. The event, which aims to bring together the best amateur players in the South West region, is played over three days. The first day is a 36-hole qualifying competition followed by two days of match-play to decide the overall winner of the Championship and the winner of 2nd flight.

Julia, who is a member of Exeter Golf club and has a handicap of 1, was amazed to be in the final and was absolutely delighted by her victory. Although she has been playing golf since she was nine years old, this is her first big win and she could hardly believe that she had finally done it. Perhaps it is not surprising that Julia intends to make a career in golf as a teaching pro and she is due to start the PGA Level 1 course at the end of this year.

2nd flight winner was Jamie Lee Casling from Brickhampton Court Golf Club in Gloucestershire, who beat Rosie Davies from Saunton in Devon in another close fought match. Jamie Lee, who is 18, is also celebrating her first hole-in-one which she shot on the first day at the 139-yard 5th hole. Another hole-in-one was achieved by 13-year-old Francesca Young from Ferndown on the 124-yard 8th hole.

Championship runner-up, Hayley Davis from Ferndown Golf Club, who plays off scratch, won the Katherine Cairns Trophy for the best gross score of 146 over 36 holes on the first day. The nett Trophy, the Fraser Evans bowl, was won by Lizzie Stephens from Clevedon in Somerset with 137 - 9 under par. Other winners included Gill Loughrey from Wrag Barn in Wiltshire who won the Hawkins Senior Vase and Jo Hodge from Knowle near Bristol who won the Intermediate candlesticks for the aged 18-30 category.

Altogether, some scintillating performances which promise a bright future for women's golf in the South West.


 

New South West Champion - Julia Norman

Champion, Julia Norman, shakes hands with runner-up, Hayley Davis, on the 18th green