Amateur: Liphook Scratch Cup 2023

Report by Caroline Scallon

The Liphook Scratch cup was carefully scheduled at the very end of the school holidays. This popular 36-hole scratch event in the England Golf Women’s Amateur Fixture List, attracted a top-class field from all over the country. The players, and the winners, get younger every year!

This year it was Annabel Peaford aged 14 (handicap +5) from Walton Heath, on her second visit to Liphook who took the honours with rounds of 76,72 = total 148.

Hot on her heels came her twin sister Emily (h’cap +3) with scores of 78,74 = total 152 on countback. These two were also first and second at the recent North of England Under 16 Championships in the under 14 category held at Pannal in North Yorkshire. And following Liphook they were half of the Walton Heath team at St. Ives GC over the weekend, winning the English Women’s Champion Club Trophy – each setting course records in the process.

They have had an excellent summer of golf and now head off to begin their year 10 GCSE studies. They will both continue to represent their club and Surrey County and pursue their relentless practice routine through the winter. In addition Annabel can look forward to competing in the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship in Portugal in October,

The Peaford twins were hotly pursued by Raffi Dyer (+2) from Hayling Island, also a member of Liphook, with scores of 73,79 for a total 152. The fourth scratch prize went to Emily McBurney (+2) from Royal Liverpool on 153 (78,75); and fifth scratch went to Connie Packer (1) from Bishops Stortford on 154 (76,78).

The field of 59 had a very trying time. The weather conspired against low scoring and faster play - testing the patience of everyone involved.

But as ever, the competitors were very complimentary about the condition of the golf course which held up all day in the face of relentless rain. The event continues to attract the best players from all over the UK.

View the full results from the Liphook Scratch Cup here.