Morgan sets course record to win MNR Girls 2017
A hot, sunny bank holiday Monday, 28th August, saw 24 girls compete for the MNR Girls Championship Trophy at Ruddington Grange Golf Club in Nottinghamshire. Morgan Thomas from Beau Desert Golf Club, Staffordshire shot a course record of 72 in the morning to lead at the half way stage. However, she continued to be on fire in the afternoon beating the course record again with a three under par gross 69, giving her a total of 141 for 36 holes to win the Championships. Morgan, playing off 1 handicap, also carded a nett total of 139 to make a clean sweep and win the nett trophy.
Esme Hamilton (Notts Ladies, Notts) was runner up with gross 150, with Ellie Haughton (Greetham Valley, Lincs) in 3rd place on 153. In the Nett competition Courtney Martland (Lincoln GC, Lincs) took first prize behind Morgan with an impressive score of 142, followed by Amelia Wan (Rufford Park, Notts) on 143 and Lauren Sabin (Shirland Derbys) on 146.
The scratch team trophy was awarded to Staffordshire with a total of 305 (Morgan Thomas, Hannah Goulding and Katie Symonds) and Lincolnshire pipped Nottinghamshire as runners up after a count back. However, in the handicap team trophy Nottinghamshire team (Esme Hamilton, Kristina Lazarevic and Amelia Wan) edged ahead of Lincolnshire with a score of 293.
Alongside the 36 hole competition, 14 girls took part in the 18 hole Challenge Cup. Eleanor Parkinson from Willesley Park Golf Club in Leicestershire and Rutland, had a superb performance with a gross 87 and nett 67, a score that resulted in her receiving both Best Nett and Best Gross Trophies in the event. She had already dropped her handicap from 36 to 20 between entering the competition and playing in it, and her excellent scores will see her receive a further cut…what a season!
My thanks to Clare Jones for organising the event and the the NCLGA officials Helen Maber, Jenny Smith, Glenys Priestly, Carol Houghton and Elaine Mitchell for all their help in running the day. A special thanks also to Roger Poole as referee and our hard working NCLGA Lady President Maureen Clarke for acting as starter, referee and prize presenter. The final sincere thanks goes to Ian Gelsthorpe and his team at Ruddington Grange golf course for all their support to host the tournament and to Lady Captain Jane Smeeton who made us all feel welcome.
Emma Howie
NCLGA Junior Coordinator