Despite 4" rain in the preceding days the competition went ahead and as ever proved a huge test for the 20 teams taking part. Although the course showed signs of the exceptional rainfall, the green keeping team at Olton Golf Club deserve great credit for ensuring that the course was in a playable condition. Everyone was surprised and grateful that the day itself remained dry for all competitors. Ground conditions were not conducive to excellent scores (only two gross scores in the seventies) and together with the added pressures of the day it was always going to make for an interesting set of results.

As the day unfolded and the scores were returned there was no doubt that both Gross and Nett categories were going to be close at the top. In reality there were just six Clubs chasing the Gross trophy and only two of these were fielding teams in which all players had single figure handicaps. It was evident early on that the winner of this year's Chipman Cup was going to be one of these two teams, either Copt Heath or Nuneaton.

Copt Heath had the edge right from the start but obviously had to wait for their final players to finish before they could begin their celebrations. In the end a margin of just two shots separated the teams, 412 and 414, but the Copt Heath team were absolutely thrilled at retaining the Trophy for the second year in succession.

Winning team: - Angela Dawson, Trish Grant, Jane Jones, Sue Pearce and Liz Moverley

The nett competition was even closer with five teams still in the frame right up until the last cards came in. There was an air of nervous anticipation and excitement in the club house as the final scores were posted. Ultimately Shirley emerged as winners with a total score of 378, from Kenilworth and Stratford-upon-Avon on 381 and Nuneaton and Olton on 382. That is one of the closest finishes we have experienced over the last few years.

Shirley were the only team on the day to record five nett scores in the seventies and therefore thoroughly deserved to be the recipients of the Daisy Harthill Memorial Cup. A very excited Jan Oxley (Lady Captain of Shirley) received the trophy accompanied by her team.

Winning team: - Sheila Armstrong, Val Barker, Lesley Fisher, Carol O'Hare and Pat Aprile

CONGRATULATIONS to both clubs for their successes.

THANK YOU to all teams for competing and to the many people who stayed behind for the presentations. There was a lovely atmosphere in and around the Clubhouse all day.

THANK YOU to everyone from Olton involved in the hosting of the day and to the numerous WLCGA committee members for their hard work.

Next year's competition : - Monday 7th September 2009 at Robin Hood GC

For Individual scores and overall results - go back one level and then to 'scores'