YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE SHINE AT EDGBASTON

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Youth and experience won the day during the 36 hole qualifying rounds of the Warwickshire Ladies Championship, sponsored by Rydale Cars at Edgbaston Golf Club today. Claire Dowling, defending champion fired a four under par 67 second round to add to her morning 75 to head the qualifiers by six strokes. 18 year old Felicity Johnson from Harborne took the second spot on the back 18 from Tracy Atkin (Leamington) with an aggregate of 148.

But it was 14 year old Abbey Gittings from Walmley playing in the championship for the first time who shone through as the county’s new star with rounds of 77 and 78 off a handicap of 8. Former county champion, 16 year old Hannah Coles from Maxstoke Park also had a brilliant three over par 74 in the morning which added to her 80 in the afternoon and put her in sixth qualifying spot.

The other junior newcomers to feature prominently on the day were Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park) and Lauren Wayte (Nuneaton) who were among the top 16 qualifiers.

Commenting Pat Hale, County Captain said: “This is a marvellous fillip for county golf to have five qualifiers aged 18 and under through to the qualifying stages and bodes well for the future. Claire Dowling’s magnificent score of 67 was also the highlight of the day particularly over a course which was playing its full length.

“We are all looking forward to some exciting golf over the next two days as the knockout matchplay stages begin”, she added.

Leading Qualifiers

142 Claire Dowling (Copt Heath) 75, 67

148 Felicity Johnson (Harborne) 77, 71

Tracy Atkin (Leamington) 76, 72

151 Lisa Barton (Finham) 77, 74

152 Claire Howells (Moor Hall) 74, 78

154 Hannah Coles (Maxstoke Park) 74, 80

155 Abbey Gittings (Walmley) 77, 78

161 Angela Dawson (Copt Heath) 77, 84

162 Sue Westall (Copt Heath) 83, 79

163 Bobbie Waugh (Walmley) 86, 79