The Cumbria Ladies Golf Association County Championships have this year been held at Furness Old Links Golf Club on Saturday, Sunday & Monday, May 30.   

CLGA’s course selection coincides with Furness Golf Club celebrating its 150th anniversary, highlighting its pride at being the 6th oldest golf club in the country.

The weather was generally kind on Saturday and Sunday with dry, settled weather but Monday held a little less charm for the finalists as sporadic rain made playing conditions slightly more difficult and much less pleasant. 

The winds for the three days were not strong enough to cause major problems but had sufficient presence to make life a little interesting, creating almost ideal but testing conditions for golf. 

Ultimate victory was justifiably achieved by Carlisle Golf Club’s Katie Sibley, after battling against Silloth’s Hannah Smith all the way to win the County Champion title on the 18th hole. 

In their semi-final matches, Hannah beat Rebecca Wildey of Eden whilst Katie achieved success against Harriet Barker from Carus Green, both matches producing some equally noteworthy and highly entertaining spectacles worthy of any county championship.

The competition, which forms the climax of a busy program throughout the golfing year, was efficiently organise by the ladies County Competition Secretary Pat Wimpress and hosted by County Captain, ‘Fliss’ Holloway, assisted by Vice Captain, Jenny Bland with prizes being presented by County President Joan Cresswell. 

150th anniversary celebrations continue for Furness Golf Club throughout the year, with the three most notable events being the County Men’s Strokeplay competition 25th & 26th June, drawing the best golfers from all over Cumbria. The England Golf Boys County Finals 22nd – 25th August and the British Historic Golf Society 1st & 2nd September.  Spectators are welcome with free admission.

Throughout the three day event, other competitions took place including the Team of 3 trophy,  36 hole Strokeplay competition,  Bronze Championship (20+ handicaps) and Juniors competition (<18), results for which are as follows:

County Championship Relph Trophy - 36 hole Strokeplay competition - Best gross score: Nicola Wood (Carlisle) with 73, 71 = 144. 

County Championship - 36 hole Strokeplay competition – Best Nett: Rosie Waller (Kendal) 68, 75 = 143. Second Nett: Alex Walker (Ulverston) 67, 76 = 143. Third Nett: Katie Sibley (Carlisle) 75, 70 = 145.

Olive Coulthard Trophy – Bronze 18 hole Strokeplay - Best gross score: Liz Hall (Appleby) 99.

Bronze Championship – 18 hole Strokeplay  - Best stableford: Terrill Parkin (Furness) 38 points.  Second Stableford: Diane Herbert (Furness) 35 points.

The Linda Clark (Juniors) competition - 18 hole Strokeplay competition – Best Nett: Rebecca Wildey (Eden) 79.  Second Nett: Jodie Hodgson (Appleby) 87.

Championship team event – Team of 3 – First: Janet Crossfield, Jean Arrowsmith, Annette Park (Furness) 82 points.   Second: Claire Largue, Val Kirkwood, Terrill Parkin (Furness) 79 points.