This beautiful trophy has been contested since 1972 between the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Originally a team of eight ladies from each county played with a team of Professionals from their respective counties but with the Professionals having been replaced in recent years by 2nd team players, this event at the end of the season is hugely enjoyed by the top lady and junior golfers in each county.

For the final event of the year the setting was perfect! Blackwell is the most glorious course and on a beautifully warm and sunny day, the fairways and greens were in the most wonderful condition! It was a day when even the worst of rounds could still be enjoyed! Well you know what I mean!

It was great to see all the team again and all of us enjoyed meeting friends from Staffordshire and Worcestershire. As with County Week, it was a day of great rivalry but also friendship.

The team is selected from the top 16 players in the county and having chosen the top 8, the remaining 8 are matched with them. The event is played off handicap, as a better ball format with all 8 stableford scores counting. This year I was delighted to field a team of players with handicaps 8 or below with only Jane Mander and Abbey Gittings unavailable from our 1st team squad and Stacey Edwards and Sue Pearse from the 2nd team squad. This gave me the opportunity to play myself, although it was with some trepidation!

I have listed the team and the scores at the end of this report but for myself I had selected Bev Belcher, 2nd team Captain, 1st team player, excellent reader of greens as my partner (I am no fool!) and we were listed as last out on the starting sheet. This was lovely as I was able to see everyone before they went off from the 1st tee, which incidentally has to be one of the most daunting in the world as it stands approximately 10 feet from the clubhouse windows and your drive can be witnessed by all and sundry! Bev and I were relieved that there would be no-one remaining to see us off, although this was rapidly followed by the realisation that they might all be there on the 18th as we approached!

The 18th was to be significant as it happened, but fortunately there were no spectators! I have been assured that it is perfectly in order to blow my own trumpet on this occasion, and yours truly was delighted to secure a magnificent birdie 3! Bev and I handed in our card to be greeted by huge smiles from the Warwickshire team! We had won by one point and therefore a par wouldn't have been enough! All the Warwickshire scores were superb with every partnership recording a score of par or below. I think that is brilliant!

Naturally I was thrilled, and it was a wonderful moment for me receiving the trophy, particularly as for the first time during my two years as captain I had actually played for the team. What a moment to remember! I have had the most fantastic two years as captain, being part of a team who have shown me nothing but friendship and great humour throughout. I could go on and on, but I shall reserve that for the AGM!

I really do hope that I shall see many of you there. Copt Heath Golf Club on the 23rd November at 10.30am!

Till then, very best wishes to you all.

Mary Tuner Bowl 2005

Blackwell Golf Club

Par 71

Felicity Johnson and Emma Stodart 69 nett

Claire Dowling and Kath Ashley 66 nett

Tracy Atkin and Paula Bargewell 71 nett

Lisa Barton and Bobbi Waugh 67 nett

Claire Howells and Charlotte Dalton 66 nett

Marsha Button and Hannah Coles 71 nett

Anne Parry and Sue Jones 68 nett

Bev Belcher and Pat Hale 68 nett

Prizes were also awarded for the best 3 scores of the day. Congratulations to Claire Dowling and Kath Ashley who won 3rd prize on countback from Claire Howells and Charlotte Dalton, with Charlotte playing in her first Mary Turner Bowl! Well done, Charlotte!

1st Warwickshire 546 points

2nd Worcestershire 547 points

3rd Staffordshire 554 points