With Katrina and Lisa's match there were some surprises for the watching crowd. By the 9th hole, with Katrina playing out of her socks, she was 2 up, however by the 12th Tee, Lisa had caught up. Katrina did very well to hold her to the 17th, where Lisa won 2 and 1. One to watch for the future we think but on this instance, it was Lisa's experience that shone though. (Pictured left are the beaten semi-finalists, Katrina Gani and Claire Howells)
So we have our 2 finalists, Rachel and Lisa and they commenced their round at 1.30 p.m. after a refreshing lunch.
Quite a crowd had gathered this afternoon, led by the Moor Hall Captain and Lady Captain and no-one left until the winning putt was sunk.
Rachel won the 1st and 3rd holes quickly going 2 up, but then Lisa pulled one back on the 4th. There was some excellent driving from both finalists, each one trying to get just a few more yards from the Tee! 2nd shots mostly hit the greens with halves on 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th holes, albeit with some occasional shaky putts.
Some additional spectators plus musical background on the 9th Tee as the hotel Wedding guests were enjoying the unexpected warm sunshine on the back lawn of the hotel!! Lisa hit the best drive of the 2 but lost the hole, so became 2 down.
After Bogies by both on the 10th, Rachel hit a fantastic Tee shot on the Par 3, 11th with Lisa's shot going off the green to the left. A great chip close to the flag by Lisa followed by sinking the putt made the hole look much smaller to Rachel, who just missed her putt. Hole halved.
Rachel won the 12th and went further ahead to 3 up. Halves on the short 13th and then Lisa pulled one back to go 2 down on the 14th with a half to follow on the 15th. Rachel 2 up and 3 to play and the spectators were getting quite twitchy as we did not want this match to end.
On the long Par 5, 16th, 2 long drives from each followed by very good 2nd shots. When we reached the green, Rachel was just short of the green but Lisa had found the front bunker (first of the match by either player). Lisa managed to get down in 2 putts, taking the hole from Rachel.
The picturesque 17th short hole saw Lisa on the green but Rachel had quite a difficult chip from the edge of the stream, over a bunker. She made it but then 2 putted and Lisa putted for 3 to make the match All Square - what excitement.
Lisa hit a fantastic drive on the 18th to the middle of the fairway whereas Rachel had the most awful luck, when her ball bounced right and landed behind a tree, leaving her no shot forward. Rachel chipped out and her 3rd shot landed just short of the green. Lisa chipped first leaving the ball some 6 or 7 feet from the hole, from where she sank the putt for a Birdee 4 and the match.
How relieved and pleased Lisa was to have won, as she has played in this event for many years and had only been in the final once before, only to come 2nd! When asked later how she came back so well Lisa said "My putting had been suspect all day and it was only on the 14th that I realised what I had been doing wrong!!"
Our congratulations to both players as the match was played in a fantastic spirit with the Referee for the match, Elizabeth Earnshaw not having any decisions to make!
As Dottie Beanland said at the Prize Presentation afterwards, "This Championship had been blessed with fantastic weather, a great golf course, very well presented by the Moor Hall Greens' staff, catering to a high standard over the 3 days but most of all golf played throughout the event in a very friendly and professional manner with some very exciting moments for us all to enjoy.
(Pictured Centre is the winner Lisa Barton and Right the Runner Up Rachel Rusted, with the beaten semi-finalists Katrina Gani and Claire Howells on the left)
To view or print a copy of the Full listing of results over the 3 days: CLICK HERE
To view the Gallery of the 2011 Ladies County Championships: CLICK HERE
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