Mary Shawley and Kate Helm won the 2013 Peugeot 208 LGU Coronation Foursomes on the Eden Course in St Andrews and now they will be playing in the pro-am at next year's Ricoh Women's British Open.
Last month saw the Grand Final of the Peugeot 208 LGU Coronation Foursomes in St Andrews. From a starting line-up some months ago of 33,000 lady golfers across Great Britain & Ireland, the field was narrowed down through both local and area qualifying to leave 32 ladies, in 16 pairs, making it through to the final at the Eden Course, St. Andrews.
As part of the prize package for reaching the final, each team won a 2-night stay in the 5-star Old Course Hotel, followed with a gala prize giving dinner on the final night in the hotel.
The format is foursomes, where each player takes an alternate shot. In St Andrews for centuries this has been a hugely popular form of the game, including great competitors like Lady Margaret Scott and Issette Pearson. It is also used today in the Curtis Cup and the Solheim Cup.
Shona Malcolm, CEO of the LGU said, “We believe it is probably the most popular ladies amateur foursomes event in the world, representing one sixth of all lady golf club members in Great Britain & Ireland. The field is truly diverse with both low and high handicaps able to compete and win.”
Peugeot has sponsored the tournament, which is enjoying its 60th anniversary, for the last 11 years.
On the windy Monday morning in St Andrews, as the ladies waited for their tee time, a few of them spoke about their excitement about being in a final taking place in St Andrews.
Arlette Quinn and Elenoa Lyons who play at the North Hants Golf Club said, “It is truly wonderful to be here. This is a first for both of us. We love it.” Jane Stevenson from Lauder Golf Club, playing with her daughter Amy, said “It is an honour to play together in St Andrews and in such a great final. Friends have driven up just to support us.”
Such is the key and fun of foursomes. Even the highest of handicaps can beat the best in the game on their day.
With the breeze swirling, the scores were not expected to be below par but Mary Shawley (handicap 31) and Kate Helm (handicap 30) from Meltham Golf Club in West Yorkshire came home with 40 points, beating the nearest rival by 7 points. “I can’t believe it. It is like a dream,” said Mary. “I’m floating right now.” Kate was equally ecstatic. “This is totally brilliant. What an experience and the Old Course Hotel…well, wow.”
As winners, Mary and Kate also get to play in the Ricoh Women’s British Open pro-am next year at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.
From 1300 golf clubs taking part, which represents almost half the clubs in the Great Britain and Ireland, the Peugeot 208 LGU Coronation Foursomes has undoubtedly been one of the great amateur success stories of 2013.
