Warwickshire golfer leads qualifiers for Grand Medal Final
Ten women golfers, led by Yvonne Sutcliffe of Warwickshire, have become the first players to qualify for the 2011 Volvo EWGA Grand Medal Final.
They booked their places when they finished in the top 10 spots at the Volvo EWGA Midlands South regional medal final at Caversham Heath, near Reading.
The qualifiers are: Yvonne Sutcliffe (The Warwickshire), Laura Crew (Reading), Helen Lake (Donnington Valley), Hannah Mulliner (Northampton), Tina Fethon (Skidby Lakes), Alison Tuck (Worcestershire), Martine Gilks (Leamington & County), Shirley Caswell (Kidderminster), Gillian Stimpson (Hazelmere) and Melanie Evans (Evesham).
They will be joined at the Grand Medal Final at Droitwich, Worcestershire, on June 25, by the top 10 qualifiers from each of five more regional finals, which have yet to be played. All the regional finalists returned the best four scores in the Volvo EWGA Medals at their club during 2010.
The Midlands South regional final, played in glorious sunshine, was closely contested with three players tying at the top of the leaderboard with net scores of one-under par 74.
Yvonne Sutcliffe, who plays off 14, broke the deadlock to take first place by virtue of her back nine. It included three net birdies which helped to bring her home in two-under net 35.
“I am absolutely delighted to be in first place – and amazed! I still don’t quite believe it,” said Yvonne. “There were still eight or nine groups to come in after me and I did expect someone to do better.”
Yvonne has been playing seriously for only four years, encouraged by her husband Neil – - who caddied for her – and their sons. “We are a bit of a golfing family and if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” she said. The youngest player in the field was 10-year-old Ellie Darnell from Kettering, who narrowly missed a place in the grand final when she finished in a share of 16th place.
Ellie was disappointed but enjoyed her day. She plays off a handicap of 21 and is a rapid improver – a year ago her handicap was in the 30s. This year’s target is to get down to the teens. However, teenager Laura Crew of Reading did make it through to the Grand Med al Final. The 15-year-old, who was playing off 26, was runner-up on countback. The scoring highlight of the day was provided by Hannah Mulliner, a six-handicapper from Northampton who played the back-to-back par fives, 14 and 15, in three under par gross, with a birdie and an eagle. She had net 75 and qualified fourth.
Qualifying net scores
Par 75 CSS 78
74 Yvonne Sutcliffe (The Warwickshire), Laura Crew (Reading) Helen Lake (Donnington Valley)
