Nottinghamshire County Ladies Golf Association
English Women's County Finals Report 2024
Having narrowly won the Midland North Region championships, Notts now faced the daunting challenge of taking on the other regional winners at Stover Golf Club in Devon from 20th to 22nd September. Being one of the smallest counties and having won this prestigious tournament only once before in its 68 year history, it is fair to say that Notts were underdogs.
Day 1
The first match was against reigning champions Buckinghamshire. First out for Notts in the foursomes, Vicki Johnson and Laura Morris. The match was an incredibly tight with the lead exchanging numerous times before Vicki bravely holed a 3 foot putt on the difficult 18th to secure victory 1up. Next up in the foursomes was the unbeaten pairing from the regional finals, 14 year old Millie Marsh and Lauren Spray. Again, an incredibly tight match was secured by the Notts pair on the 17th, 2 & 1. With 16 year old Elizabeth Wilson winning her match 7 & 5, Notts secured a 3-2 victory.
Notts’ next match in the afternoon, Dorset. Captain Julie Revill named the same team but changed the order to keep the Notts’ opponents guessing. After 9 holes Notts were struggling and looked like they could go down 3-2. With the experienced Lizzy Wood as caddie, Jorja Newbold who was 4 down at one stage, battled back to secure victory on the last hole 2 up. Notts eventually won 4-1 with Lauren and Millie winning their foursomes 5 & 4, whilst Elizabeth Wilson and Emily Rowbottom won their singles 6 & 5 and 4 & 2 respectively.
After day 1 Notts were leading the tournament with a slender 1 point advantage over favourites Surrey.
Day 2
With the late arrival of Sophie Newlove to join the squad Notts were able to juggle the team to face their most difficult match against Surrey. Jorja joined Laure Morris to lead the team out in the foursomes, whilst Sophie took Jorja’s place in the singles. At one stage Notts had been down in all of the matches, and it looked like they would suffer a convincing defeat. However, the girls showed amazing courage to battle back with Jorja and Laura halving their match, while Lauren and Millie won 2 & 1 and Elizabeth Wilson birdied the last two holes to win 2 up. A 2½ - 2½ draw with Surrey meant Notts were still tournament leaders. Next match in the afternoon, Norfolk.
The team remained unchanged and the match proved to be another tight affair. Laura and Jorja comfortably won their foursomes 6 & 4 as did Elizabeth Wilson who won her singles 6 & 5. Being down in the other two singles Notts needed Lauren and Millie to win. Having been behind they showed tremendous courage to come back and win 2 & 1.
After 4 matches Notts were still leading the tournament, but Surrey had narrowed the gap to half a point.
Final Day
To win the championship Notts had to at least match the score of Surrey. If Notts won 3-2 but Surrey won 4-1, Surrey would be crowned champions.
It couldn’t have been tighter. Notts fielded the same team but again juggled the order. Nottinghamshire’s opponents were a formidable Lancashire. At one stage in the back nine Notts had a narrow lead in 2 games but were down in 3. The unbeatable pairing of Lauren and Millie (now referred to as the dream team) were first to finish winners 4 & 3. Next Elizabeth Wilson had to win holes with birdies to win 3 & 2 against a very strong England International. All the other games were in the balance and could go either way. Laura and Jorja who were two down with 5 to play managed to pull it back to all square with 2 to play. Jorja hit a magnificent drive on the difficult 17th and, whilst still smarting at losing the 16th, the Lancashire player snap hooked her tee shot into the trees. A dispute followed about whether the Lancashire ball was in the penalty area entitling them to a penalty drop or in the general play area. Laura showed her maturity and insisted on calling a referee. After 10 minutes the referee arrived and agreed with Laura that the ball was in general play necessitating a drop and a shot out sideways. Lancashire played their 4th shot onto the green to 60 feet whilst Laura’s found the green with her second shot to about 45 feet. In everyone’s mind Notts were going to win that hole. Incredibly Lancashire holed their 60 foot putt whilst Notts 3 putted and so halved the hole. Momentum was with Lancashire playing the last hole all square.
Laura hit a good tee shot but into the semi rough with overhanging trees requiring a draw onto the green. Lancs hit a tremendous tee shot well down in the middle of the fairway. Jorja hit a magnificent draw approach from about 180 yards to 20 feet on the apron. Lancs found the green but leaving a tricky putt. Lancashire 3 putted and Jorja bravely holed an 18 inch putt for par and the victory. Nottinghamshire were now 3 up but what about Surrey? News filtered through that Surrey had only managed a 3-2 win over Buckinghamshire which meant Notts were champions. Meanwhile still out on the course Sophie holed a 20 foot putt on the 17th to win 2 & 1 meaning that Notts had won 4 – 1 and beaten Surrey into 2nd place by 1½ points.
Not one match was easily won and most could have gone either way, but such was the talent, resilience and courage of the Nottinghamshire girls that they came out victorious, against all the odds. Everyone who played won at least a point. A special mention to squad members, Caron Harrison, Carol Houghton, Ellen Sanderson and Lizzy Wood who didn’t get to play but caddied and supported the team and helped build the team spirit which was pivotal in the Nottinghamshire success.
Further information and results can be found on our English County Finals page.
Nottinghamshire - National English Women’s County Champions 2024
Julie Revill - County Captain
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| Trophy Presentation by the England Golf President | All hands on the trophy! |
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