The much loved annual event The Mothers and Daughters Open Golf Competition took place at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club this April
The Mothers and Daughters Open Golf Competition was first played in 1932. At the time it was only open to members of the Veterans’ Ladies Golf Association. It was not until 1962 that the organisers decided to open up the event and since then it has been hosted annually on a Saturday in April at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club.
After a two-year hiatus due to the global pandemic, The Mothers and Daughters Open Golf Competition returned in 2022. Last year, Jo and Lottie Woodham (pictured above) from West Hill Golf Club won the main 27-hole scratch competition for the Judy Trophy with a score of 117. At only 13-years-old Lottie was the youngest winner of the trophy to date.
The Mothers and Daughters 2023 competition
Alison Taylor, the Chairman of the competition, has been in touch with a round-up of this year's event:
We had a fantastic day at Royal Mid-Surrey on Saturday 22nd April. The weather stayed dry and the threat of a flooded course from a very high tide on the River Thames never materialised!
This year saw entries exceed expectation as 57 pairs entered, which was seven more than in 2022. It was also fantastic to welcome six pairs who were playing for the first time.
Players came from all over England, Scotland, Wales and Nothern Ireland and represented 54 different golf clubs. We also welcomed our first entrant who was using England iGolf.
The format was a 27 hole scratch medal foursomes - not as easy as it sounds!
We were delighted with the standard of play and we saw a return to the winner's spot for three-time winners Ann and Alex Peters (pictured top) from Shifnal Golf Club. Ann and Alex have won before in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Alex then turned pro but has now regained her amateur status.
1st place - Ann and Alex Peters (Shifnal GC) with a score of 74 and 41 = 115
2nd place - Bernadette and Sophie Newlove (Wollaton Park GC), 79 and 40 = 119 on countback from Kay and Gemma Bradbury (Pyle and Kenfig, Denham)
View the full scores here.
Thank you to everyone who attended the day.
History
The Mothers and Daughters is a unique event in the amateur women’s golfing calendar. Mothers and daughters come to Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club from all over Britain to compete in the prestigious 27-hole foursomes scratch event.
From the very early days, The Mothers and Daughters attracted the crème of the amateur game. Pam Barton won it with her mother in 1935, the year before she became British and United States Champion. Other distinguished winners have included Angela Bonallack with daughter Glenna, Jill Thornhill with daughter Caroline and four-time winners, Liz Boatman with her daughter Alex.
The event was dominated from the 1960s to the early 90s by the virtually unbeatable partnership of Angela Uzielli and her mother Peggy Carrick. They won an incredible 22 times together before Angela decided to pair up with her daughter Caroline, a higher handicap, only to win again in 1996. Angela Uzielli, who sadly died suddenly in 1999, had enormous enthusiasm for The Mothers and Daughters and has left an extraordinary legacy; her feat will surely never be matched.
Entry requirements
Mothers and daughters can choose their playing partners if they want to play with friends or the competition organiser Sheila Stirling can pair competitors up with suitable playing partners.
The handicap index limit is 30.0 but places are given to the 50 lowest combined handicaps on the last day of entry. There are handicap prizes as well as scratch and there is always a broad range of golfing ability.
About Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club
Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club occupies an historic area of Royal Parkland in Richmond-Upon-Thames. Founded over 100 years ago, it shares a bend in the river with the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew.
The club is only nine miles from the centre of London and is conveniently located for both car and public transport. It is easily accessible from the M25 and is within walking distance of Richmond rail and underground stations.
The Mothers and Daughters Open Golf Competition format
The format is 27-Holes Foursomes Scratch Medal. In the event of a tie after 27 holes, the winner will be the pair with the better score over the last 9, 6, 3 or 1 hole(s) of the 18 hole card, as necessary.
Find out more about The Mothers and Daughters here.