Ladies County Week - Newquay Golf Club

C.L.C.G.A. CHAMPIONSHIP - 22nd to 24th April 2008

The course was impeccable, the bedding plants bloomed and the club-house sparkled! All we needed was help from above with the weather. Everyone concerned prayed for a dry Tuesday - can you imagine 64 players, 64 caddies, 64 trollies, 24 ball-spotters and a number of officials and spectators all congregating back at base, dripping and somewhat ill-natured? Well you can imagine, for it was a sunny, Spring day with just a teasing wind! The morning medal round started at 8:00am from the 1st and 10th with players teeing-off every eight minutes. Second rounds began at 1:00pm with players switching their starting tee. To go through to the knock-out stages of the championship, gross scores needed to be in the top 16. Newquay members, Liz Bird and Michelle Burgess both progressed in this first flight, whilst Fiona Pocklington and Pat Greenwood were in the second flight and and went into the Plate knock-out. It was an unlucky day for our other two, Sue Phillips and Sally Stacey.

Throughout the day, the bar and catering staff were in great demand and with a carvery for about 150 hungry diners to be served there was no time to admire the scenery, let alone the golf! But we all coped and only the non-qualifiers left with a hint of what might have been!

Wednesday - and it's dry again! But that wind has certainly gained weight and speed. More importantly - are there sufficient requirements in the portaloo? All is well! Several former champions move through to the afternoon quarter-finals, including Liz Bird. Youth is wonderfully represented by Katie Rule, Micah Carroll and last year's winner, Sarah-Jane Boyd. Newquay's Michelle Burgess could not find her best form and went into the Advanced Plate. Fiona Pocklington, on her 40th birthday, gained victory in the morning round and then needed 20 holes to win her Plate semi-final before she could celebrate! The Championship semi-finalists for the following day were intriguing! 15 year old Katie Rule would play Lynda Simpson, (6 times county champion and former Curtis Cup player) of Trevose. Talk about age versus experience! Liz Bird would face Judith Ryder of West Cornwall - adversaries in the league, but team mates for County!

Thursday - and still no rain, but it proved quite difficult to stand steady in a very stiff, cold, easterly wind. Even head green-keeper Andy was concerned about the greens and was hoping for some moisture before or over the week-end. Both semi-finals were incredibly exciting. Katie fighting back from 5 down to be all-square on the 18th tee and Liz winning the 15th and 17th, but needing to also win the 18th to square her match. In the end both Katie and Liz lost by one hole, but no heads down here. As Liz said - "It wasn't to be." But we did have a Plate winner! Fiona beat Sue Ofield of Trevose, 2/1.

So to Friday - THE FINAL. Bitterly cold with a howling N.E.wind, but the players and caddies seemed unfazed and the spectators were thermally wrapped! It's a 36 hole matchplay contest and at the lunch break, Lynda was one up. Still a long way to go! We were all privileged to witness some spectacular golf in extremely testing conditions, but Judy could not make the breakthrough and the match finished on the 33rd hole. Championship play had ended. Later, in quite a crowded club-house, the presentations were made by the County President, Barbara Robson. In her speech, Barbara thanked all the staff and members of N.G.C. for their effort, endeavour and cooperation throughout the week. As Lady Captain, I can only endorse her compliments. It was a very special week, made possible by every individual's contribution - and there are far too many to name! Many thanks to each one of you. To Liz Bird, Michelle Burgess, Fiona Pocklington, Sue Phillips, Sally Stacey and Pat Greenwood, many congratulations and thankyou for representing our club.