Well, we didn’t exactly get the dry day was hoping for on Saturday. A dank, chilly and drizzly day greeted the Championship and Handicap qualifiers.

There’s always a bit of excitement in the air on finals day and this year was no exception and was probably one of the most exciting finishes!

In the Championship, Jennifer Bryans was 3 strokes ahead of Aileen Kennedy before the final round started. Meg Laidler was also in this grouping and was joint leader for the Handicap Championship so there was all to play for. Sheila McEwan, Elaine Wilson, Annie Leitch, Helen Warnock and Deirdre Taylor were Handicap qualifiers but with Meg already 4 shots clear and playing some very steady golf, it was a tough ask.

Jennifer struggled with some aspects of her game, whilst Aileen was very steady, and by the turn Aileen had made up the 3 stroke deficit. Meg also played the front 9 well, keeping herself very much in contention for the Handicap Trophy. Sheila McEwan also played the front 9 well but made silly mistakes on 10 and 11.

It was nip and tuck for Jennifer and Aileen all the way in and, after holing out on the 18th and scores were added together, both players were tied on 246. There was a bit of a debate on what should happen next but it was agreed that playing holes 1, 2,17 and 18 was the most sensible and fairest way. Meanwhile Meg, who had scored a 74 net, had to wait and see whether Aileen or Jennifer won The Championship. If Jennifer won The Championship, Aileen would then win the Handicap. However, if Aileen won The Championship, then Meg would win the Handicap as none of the Handicap qualifiers made any ground up on Meg’s aggregate net scores.

Both players had 5s at the 1st and 2nd holes so it was onto the 17th. Aileen had a good drive and pitch onto the green. Jennifer’s drive came up short and a wayward pitch up to the left put her under pressure as she needed to now pitch close. Aileen holed out for an easy par whilst Jennifer missed her par putt. Aileen hit a cracking drive down the 18th fairway whilst, Jennifer uncharacteristically hit a poor drive and was short with her second shot. Aileen found the middle of the green with her second shot and it was game over as Jennifer ran her 4th shot past the hole.

Well done to Aileen and Kennedy on winning The Championship and to Meg Laidler who won The Handicap Trophy.