What a difference a year makes and we are not talking about Tiger Woods! The weather for this year’s Roehampton Gold Cup could not have been more different from 2018.

While on course preparation had the benefit of some decent spring weather and the golf course was in perfect condition on April 13, there had been morning frost all week and sure play had to be delayed for half an hour on Saturday morning as they waited for the ground to thaw. The cold north-east wind persisted all day with short interludes of hail and some sunshine, so the conditions put everyone involved the test.

The golfers took to the course without a murmur, from as far afield as Wales, Cornwall and Ireland.  The high class field was made up of 24 professionals and 30 amateurs with highest handicap 3.  All praised the condition of the course with ‘best greens ever’ heard more than once during the day! 

The professionals claimed the top three spots. Annabel Dimmock, aged 25 and carving out a career on the Ladies European Tour, representing Wentworth Golf Club, came in with two rounds of 71 & 69 for a total 140.  Annabel is proud to have her name on a trophy that dates back to 1927, seven years older than the Masters! She heads off to Morocco this weekend for the Lalla Meryem Cup at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.  Annabel is an ambassador for “Girls Golf Rocks” an initiative by England Golf to encourage more girls to play the game. In second place was Dulcie Sverdloff from Thorpe Hall with 142 (72,70) and in third Hannah Burke, from Essendon, on 146 (70,76).  

The leading amateur, Chloe Ryan from Castletroy in Ireland, was close on their heels in fourth spot on 147. First time lucky, Chloe, 25, had never played the course before! She is currently in London as a paralegal with a view to becoming a solicitor.

Two Roehampton players were in the field this year, both returning the previous evening from competing in the Scottish Girls’ Open on the Eden Course at St. Andrews. After coming a very close second in Scotland, Issy Simpson was placed 12^thin the Gold Cup with rounds of 77,78 total 155 and young Lauren Gooding came in with a 36 hole total of 159 (78,81). 

Highly commended was 14 year-old Hyun-ji Kim, five handicapper from Wimbledon Park, who was called up at the last minute to take the place of an injured player. She reached the club in 30 minutes and teed off without a murmur, coming in with a very creditable 166 (88,78).

Representatives from Russell-Cooke presided at the prizegiving and the Club is most grateful for their continued support for this prestigious event in the women’s national golfing calendar.

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