THREE OF A KIND FOR WARKS CHAMPIONSHIP

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Three former champions are through to the last four in the Warwickshire Ladies Championship being played at Edgbaston GC this week, sponsored by Rydale Cars.

In a thrilling display of golf, Claire Dowling, the top qualifier and defending champion had to produce her best golf to win over 16 year Lauren Wayte from Nuneaton in the morning 2/1 and was taken to the last hole in the afternoon by fellow Copt Heath member, Angela Dawson. This proved to be an epic match with holes changing hands right up to the end, and Angela who represented England in Iceland at senior level in Flight 2 produced sparkling golf against the former Curtis Cup International.

Equally close was the match between Claire Howells (Moor Hall) and Lisa Barton (Coventry), when Claire sealed victory by getting up and down in two from a greenside bunker at the 18th to win one up. Her win marks a debut appearance in the semi-finals and promises to be an exciting dual against Claire Dowling.

In the bottom half of the draw 14 year old Abbey Gitting relished the chance to match her 7 handicap skills against Felicity Johnson off plus 1 and put in a terrific performance with birdies at the 3rd and 5th to be two down after nine. Felicity went on to win 5/3 and will now have a re-match of last year’s semi-finals versus Tracy Atkin, whom she narrowly lost to in 2004.

But she’ll have her work cut out if Tracy’s putting form continues. The former professional seized every opportunity on the greens to win her afternoon match 5/4 against 16 year old Hannah Coles.

Commenting Pat Hale, County Captain said: “The quality of golf has been exceptional all day and the performance from all the juniors has been particularly outstanding and a great omen for the future. The semi-finals line-up features four of our six best golfers and promises to deliver a superb series of matches.”

First Round

Claire Dowling (Copt Heath) bt Lauren Wayte (Nuneaton) 2/1

Angela Dawson (Copt Heath) bt Sue Westall (Copt Heath) 2 up

Claire Howells (Moor Hall) bt Bev Belcher (Olton) 2/1

Lisa Barton (Coventry Finham) bt Sue Timberlake (Edgbaston) 4/2

Tracy Atkin (Leamington) bt Sue Pearce (Copt Heath) 5/4

Hannah Cole (Maxstoke Park) bt Jane Mander (Coventry Finham) 2/1

Abbey Gitting (Walmley) bt Bobbie Waugh (Walmley) 2/1

Felicity Johnson (Harborne) bt Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park) 4/3

Second Round

C Dowling bt A Dawson 1up

C Howells bt L Barton 1 up