The County Championship
was played at Balgownie Links over the weekend.
It proved to be
a very popular venue, with there being many more entries than spaces available.
This was no doubt due to ladies wanting to play the great Championship course
which they knew would be in magnificent condition.
Luckily for the
qualifying round on the Friday conditions were good. The sun shone, the winds
were light which gave the opportunity for some good scoring. The greens were
running fast but true.
The Members Cup
for the best scratch score was won by Rachel Polson (Murcar Links) with an
excellent 76 - level par. Erin Herd
(Stonehaven) also broke 80 with a very good score of 78.
The sun kept
shining on Saturday for the matchplay, although the wind picked up a bit. There
were many close matches with several going to extra holes in both the scratch
and handicap sections.
On Sunday, the
weather took a dramatic turn for the worse. It was very wet, very windy and very
cold.
The handicap
final was between Victoria Buchan (Inverallochy) and Fiona Sim (Stonehaven). It
was played in fine spirit, Fiona giving Victoria 5 shots, which she used well.
Congratulations
to Victoria for winning the Fiona Hay Salver and to Fiona for winning the Marta
Moody runner up trophy.
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The players who progressed into the semi finals of the Championship were the youngest ever ranging from age thirteen to twenty. Robyn Fowlie (Murcar Links) beat Ruby Watt (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) 2 up. Erin Herd (Stonehaven) beat Holly McKenzie (Murcar Links) 3&2. Quality golf was played by all four.
In the
afternoon, we were treated to a final of quality golf, despite the worsening conditions.
We were all so impressed by the ball
striking, the power, distance control and fine touch around the greens. It was
a delight to watch the girls play.
Congratulations to our Champion Robyn for winning the Mrs F K Smith trophy for the second year in a row. We hope she will be back next year to defend and go for her hat trick.
To our runner
up Erin, congratulations on winning the E M Craddock trophy. Your time will surely
come in the very near future.
Most sincere
thanks must go to Royal Aberdeen for granting us courtesy of their magnificent
course. It was a privilege to hold the Championship there.
And finally thank
you to Aberdeen Ladies Captain Angela Veitch, and her committee for all their
help and superb hospitality in hosting the event.
All in all, the
2024 Championship at Balgownie Links was a great success.
Sheena
Captain