Ladies from all over the country enjoyed following in the professional players’ footsteps on the stunning Marquess Course at Woburn Golf Club for the Women & Golf reader day.
Less than ten days after Hinako Shibuno lifted the AIG Women’s British Open trophy at Woburn Golf Club, 115 ladies from all over the country enjoyed following in the professional players’ footsteps on the stunning Marquess Course for the reader day in association with PING.
On a glorious summer’s day, once the ladies had enjoyed breakfast and sifted through their goodie bag that included treats from PING, Surprizeshop, Oatein Protein Bars, I Love Cosmetics, Calypso, a W&G cooling towel, along with Women & Golf, Delicious and Healthy Food magazines, they had an opportunity to try the new G Le2 clubs from PING’s ladies’ range.
It was a fun-packed itinerary and before the golf commenced, BBC Journalist and broadcaster, and Women & Golf columnist Naga Munchetty, hosted a humorous Q&A with Daniel Grieve, head professional at Woburn Golf Club. With his experience of coaching amongst others, England’s Charley Hull and Georgia Hall, and knowing the Marquess Course inside out, he offered some valuable tips.
Ladies were then incentivised and excited to tee up for the shotgun start and play the holes that they had recently watched the pros tackle during the Women’s British Open. Combined with Dan’s advice, they had no excuses!
There were plenty of PING prizes up for grabs and both the team and individual competitions were a closely fought affair with places decided on countback.
In the team event – best two scores from four counting – Gill Andrews (16), Pam Forbes (16), Jane Bradley (24) and Ann Deane (24) won with 81 points and are now the proud owner of a lovely PING golf bag.
Vicky Beaulah (14), Sarah Jones (9) and Di Taylor (20) lost one of their players on the day through illness, but their ghost, Ann Bunyard (26) came to the rescue, and with just one point further back on 80 points, they claimed second prize and a voucher to the value of £100 each.
Third and fourth place in the team event was decided on countback with a score of 79 points, but it was the team of Susan Brown (16), Janet Rutter (14), Dee Martin (17) and Val Morrison (17), who each won a £50 PING voucher with a better back nine, edging out Sandie Hudson (29), Pat Barnes (28), Davina Adams (22) and Bettyne Norton (34), who won a PING umbrella.
In the individual event, 15 handicapper Carol Alford stepped up to the challenge of the Marquess Course and won a £150 voucher after scoring 34 points. This was decided on countback and a better back nine, after Dawn Hackshall (11) scored an equally impressive 34 points, winning a voucher for £100. Amanda Mitchell (15) claimed third place with 33 points and a voucher for £75, and she definitely went home smiling as she added another £50 voucher to her name after she won nearest-the -pin in two on the tricky par-4 12thhole that requires a drive and then a second shot over the water.
It was yet another countback that saw Pat Farag (28) pipped into fourth place and she won a £50 voucher.
Two other ladies, Truswell and Donna Griffin, also won a £50 voucher for nearest-the-pin and longest drive respectively.
After collecting her prize, an emotion winner, Carol Alford, said: “This is my first Women & Golf event and what a day to remember. To be able to play following in the footsteps of the players at the Women’s British Open was a dream come true."
"After working at the tournament as a volunteer, it’s such an experience to be able to play the course and never in my dreams did I expect to win!”
Everyone had a fantastic day, thanks to Woburn’s superb hospitality and a great golf course, and event sponsor PING.
For future Women & Golf events, visit womenandgolf.com