Strong performances from female golfers highlight inclusive championship at Ramside Hall
Women golfers made their mark at this year’s English Open for Golfers with a Disability, with Heather Gilks clinching the women’s net title in a closely contested family affair. The Coventry-based player, playing off a 10 handicap, shot consistent rounds of 83 to finish level with her handicap across both days—enough to finish two shots ahead of her mother, Martine Gilks.
A Family Battle for the Title
Heather’s second round featured three birdies, including a standout shot on the par-3 15th where she landed her ball close to the pin. Her mother Martine, along with Heather’s England Golf Disability teammate Aimi Bullock (Sunningdale Heath) and Nicky Weeks (Puttenham), all finished just behind on +2. Bullock, also shooting rounds of 83 off a 9 handicap, took third place on countback, with Martine placing second.
The Gilks family rivalry added an emotional and compelling twist to the competition, underscoring the personal significance and community spirit of the event.
Other Standouts in Women’s Competition
While Heather captured the net crown, several other female competitors had strong showings across the leaderboard. Aimi Bullock, who has been a consistent presence in England Golf’s disability events, delivered solid play and matched Heather’s consistency with identical scores across both rounds. Nicky Weeks also posted a competitive total to round out the women’s net leaderboard.
Sue Matthews of Woodhall Hills finished a commendable fourth in the Stableford Championship, narrowly missing out on a podium spot in a format that rewarded steady scoring over two days of play.
Celebrating Inclusive Golf
The English Open for Golfers with a Disability continues to showcase the growing depth of talent among female participants. With inclusive fields and competitive performances, players like Heather Gilks and her peers are reinforcing the visibility and potential of women in disability golf.
Final results and full leaderboards can be viewed here.
