I put my hands up – this is not exactly up to date reporting, but as it happens my tardiness gives me the opportunity to comment with utter delight at the end of this message on a certain member of the Warwickshire team!

Firstly though, the County Championship!

I was so pleased to be able to hold the Championship in this my final year as Captain, at my home club, Edgbaston. It is a beautiful course and the work that has been done lately has restored views of the magnificent trees, bluebells and in particular the lake, which for too long has been almost hidden from view. The greens are tricky at the best of times and pin positions particularly, on the final day, were unbelievable. For me, this proved what talent the girls possess, as most of us mere mortals would have merrily ‘bogeyed’ our way around that day!

Before I come to the quarter and semi-finals, I think what most impressed and pleased me that week was that those through to the match play rounds included 5 juniors, 3 of whom were playing in the Championship for the first time. That statistic is hugely encouraging for Warwickshire golf as a whole and I along with many others were delighted.A few words about all the girls – the real girls, those 18 and under ……!

Lauren Wayte had the toughest but at the same time the best of draws. Claire Dowling is not only the greatest of golfers but also one of the fairest and good-humoured on the golf course. Lauren quickly settled into her game and to lose to Claire by only 2/1 will have given her so much confidence – not to mention experience.

Abbey Gittings was drawn against her friend and former Walmley member Bobbi Waugh. Both were on form but Abbey won on the 17th and yet again proved to herself and those watching that she improves by leaps and bounds and has that special something which will turn her into a great player.

Charlotte Dalton was thrilled to qualify and had the greatest of challenges – to play Felicity. It was a strong performance from Charlotte and she was not going to give in easily, only letting Fliss get away from her on the back nine.

Hannah Coles was drawn against Jane Mander, two squad players, and this was always going to be an exciting match. Jane being the steadiest of players stretched Hannah to her limits. It was a great win for Hannah beating Jane 2/1 and played in the knowledge that she possibly needed a win to assure herself of a place in the team.

I want to praise them all for really showing their talent and love of golf – the three ‘new’ girls could hardly take the grins off their faces, so pleased were they to be there! It was a great performance by all 5 of them and 3 of them still in the final 8. I could hardly wait for the afternoon to begin!

Claire Dowling (who I later realised played 105 out of 108 holes of golf that week!) was again stretched to the limit, this time by fellow Copt Heath member Angela Dawson, only winning on the 18th.

The match of the afternoon was always going to be between teammates, Claire Howells and Lisa Barton. One of them had to win and Claire squeezed past Lisa beating her again,only on the 18th. Another great performance by both of them and needless to say, I am so lucky to have these two in my team.

Tracy Atkin continued her fantastic form and gave Hannah few chances to win a hole and although she battled all the way and revelled in playing against Felicity Johnson, Abbey could not compete against Fliss’ talent.

So it was Claire v Claire and Tracy v Fliss. The former was a tremendous match and I thought it impossible to choose between them but Claire Dowling decided she wasn’t ready to relinquish her crown and sneaked in to the final on the 18th! Fliss, beaten by Tracy last year was determined to have revenge but there was something purposeful about Tracy’s game this year and she beat Fliss 2/1.

And so, déjà vu – Claire Dowling v Tracy Atkin.

To have these two fantastic players in a final when there is so much talent, speaks volumes about the standard of golf in Warwickshire. They inspire the entire team with their play, knowledge of the game and willingness to give advice and motivate the others.

I am so pleased for Tracy. Having lost to Claire last year, from the first hole you could tell she wanted to win very badly and she did. It was a terrific performance and as Claire before her, will be a great leader and inspiration.

As last year, it was a very special moment announcing the team to go forward to County Week. They have all become part of my life and given me a great sense of pride. They are as follows:

Tracy Atkin

Lisa Barton

Bev Belcher

Hannah Coles

Claire Dowling

Claire Howells

Felicity Johnson

Jane Mander

I had huge pleasure in announcing Abbey Gittings as non-travelling reserve. I was so impressed with Abbey’s performance that week and this honour is well deserved.

Anne Parry is my vice-captain and I am very much looking forward to her company and working with her in deciding who is to play each day. Together with Kath Ashley who again travels with us as team physiotherapist, caddy and motivator, I know she will be a great support.

Before I close, I return to my comment at the beginning …….

Felicity Johnson is the English Ladies Amateur Champion!

A few weeks ago, I encouragingly said to her that if she were in the final I would be there to watch! On Saturday true to word I set out at 7am and arrived with minutes to spare to watch her drive off the 1st in the final against the older (20) and more experienced Sophie Walker from Kenwick Park. Anne Parry joined me shortly after and we witnessed what was the most superb example of match play I certainly, have ever seen! This is my overview of the day:

Fliss was truly magnificent. She lost the 1st hole to a birdie but won the 2nd and was 3 up after 7 holes. Losing the 8th to a birdie she determinedly hung onto a 2 hole lead. A superbly executed approach to the short 14th where her 6” putt was conceded, left her 3up with 4 holes to play.

Sophie seemed to have, at this stage, ‘moved up a notch’ in her game, and Fliss dropped shots at the following 2 holes and lost to a birdie on the 17th. All square playing 18. But where most of us by now would have crumbled, I saw Fliss, head held high and determined not to let all she had done all week be wasted, halve the 18th and 19th in great fashion.

At the 20th, her drive was over 300 yards on the narrowest of fairways. Sophie was in a fairway bunker for two and it was advantage Fliss. I don’t know how she felt, but Anne and I, arms linked supporting each other; hearts beating so fast we could hear them in our ears, watched the most perfect of approach shots finish 8 feet below the hole on an extraordinarily difficult tiered green. A putt to a few inches was enough for the hole to be conceded and unashamedly Anne and I cried!

Earlier in the round, a gentlemen had approached Anne and I asking whether either was her mother (our embarrassing enthusiasm was obviously revealing itself!) The reply was no, but we felt like surrogates, and as he departed commented to each other ‘well at least he didn’t suggest we were her grandmothers!’ At that moment, we couldn’t have felt prouder if we had been her grandmothers!

She is English Champion and how she deserves it! To witness that fight back is something I shall remember forever (and maybe can recall when times get tough in the monthly medal!)

Soon afterwards, Fliss learnt that she was in the England team for the European Ladies Team Championships in Sweden and the Home Internationals at Dundalk Golf Club. How fantastic and still only 18!

As Warwickshire Captain, I am absolutely delighted for her and the team as a whole. We now go to County Week with a great County Champion in Tracy and with the newly crowned English Champion, Felicity. The entire team were madly texting and phoning each other all day on Saturday and that is this team – there might be about twelve of us in total but we are ‘The Musketeers – all for one and one for all’! This win will inspire and motivate all of us.

Please do come and support all of us at The Worcestershire Golf Club from 12 – 14 June. Malvern is a beautiful area at any time, but you will be inspired and enthralled by the level of golf played on this lovely course. Following our success last year, I believe that the team is now even better. But you can inspire us too and we would so appreciate seeing that ‘sea’ of navy and yellow encouraging us on!

See you there!