England international Gemma Clews beat both the field and atrocious weather to retain her title in the Delamere Comboy Scratch winning by one stroke around her home course of Delamere Forest in Cheshire.
England international Gemma Clews beat both the field and atrocious weather to retain her title in the Delamere Comboy Scratch.
She scored two-over par 75 around her home course of Delamere Forest in Cheshire, to win by a stroke in what were described as “the most horrendous conditions imaginable.”
The scratch event, which was started last year, should be played over 36 holes but organiser Jackie Hesketh recounted how the competition was reduced to 18 holes after two failed attempts to start the first round.
“We eventually managed to get them out at the third attempt, after making it a one-round competition.” she said. “Shortly after they had all started and the rain had stopped, the wind speed got up to 40mph, the balls were moving on the greens and the gazebo for the starter on the first tee took off and landed halfway down the first fairway!
Clews (Image © Leaderboard Photography), who is a member of the England Golf women’s squad, was one shot clear of regional squad player Billie-Jo Smith of Lincolnshire and Surrey’s Iona Stephen.
Leading scores- Par 73, CSS 76 R/O
75 Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest)
76 Billie-Jo Smith (Woodhall Spa); Iona Stephen (Wentworth)
77 Eloise Healey (West Lancashire)
