County Week 2014

The Midlands North Region Inter County Week was held at The Leicestershire Golf Club from 8-13 June, 2014.

The event started with a practice round on Sunday, 8th June and all went well. This was followed by the Welcome Party and Dinner. A good start to the week.

Day one saw Notts. playing Shropshire. The morning foursomes seeing some good golf from Notts. resulted in a two and a half to a half situation at lunchtime. A strong Notts. line up went on in the afternoon to win five of the six singles games. A good win and a good start (seven and a half to one and half points).

Day two saw Sophie Newlove have to leave us (exams) but Lianna Bailey came in. Against Leicestershire in the morning Notts. proved too strong and secured all three points in the foursomes. Leicestershire faired a little better in the afternoon securing two and a half points but the match was beyond them and Notts. won six and a half to two and a half.

The course in excellent condition and bathed in fabulous sunshine was playing tough with the greens being very slick (reportedly 12.8 on the stimp meter!) but our girls were coping well and against Derbyshire we went into the afternoon singles with a two to one lead. In the afternoon the Notts. girls were relentless and secured five and a half points out of the possible six to beat our near neighbours seven and half points to one and a half points. Excellent playing from all our girls highlighted and worthy of mention being Lianna Bailey's play when securing her point. Lianna slotted in 5 birdies and an eagle (she did slip in just the one bogey!!) in playing just 11 holes.

Thursday was to prove to be the crunch game against old rivals Lincolnshire. For the first time we went down two games to one in the foursomes but still had all to play for in the afternoon singles. Golf of the highest calibre was played and almost had to be seen to be believed. With three holes left to play Notts. had the upper hand but a spirited fight back from Lincolnshire saw them forcing all three games down the 18th. Alex Peters secured a magnificent half a point when having pulled her approach shot left of the 18th green she then went on to make an almost miraculous up and down for a par 4 and a half a point. However, Jodie Peacock found the greenside bunker and failed to get up and down and her opponent took the point. Lauren Spray having just birdied the par 3 17th to take her opponent down the 18th then missed the tight 18th fairway left in the trees and again failed to get up and down and Lincolnshire took that game and ultimately the match five and a half to three and half points.

Friday saw our girls take on Staffordshire and the morning foursomes went Notts. way two games to one. In the afternoon singles on a glorious Friday afternoon the Notts. girls took four of the games to win six to three. Lincolnshire went on to beat Leicestershire and now go through to the National Finals in September at Belton Park. We wish them well.

We had tremendous team spirit all week and we were oh so close to going through. I was proud of our girls who whilst playing hard played fair and were an absolute delight.

We left The Leicestershire Golf Club after an excellent week finally finishing in the runners up spot. I received many praises about our team, their good manners, presentation and good golf. As a County we should all be proud of them. Kathryn is inheriting a group of players who are magnificent golfers and very nice individuals. I know they can do well and I really hope they can pull off that much needed win at Enville Golf Club (Staffordshire) next year.

Can I record a big "thank you" to all my County colleagues for their invaluable help and support – it wouldn't have happened without you. Thank you to everyone who came to support you helped make it something special.

As for me I was proud, humble and privileged to be their Captain and I have memories that I will cherish forever – thank you.