Winning pair break deadlock at Murcia Challenge
4th October 2012Sussex golfers Jill Corbett and Jenny Davis emerged triumphant from a three-way tie to win the betterball event at the England Golf Women’s Murcia Challenge in Spain.
Jill greeted the news with an ear-splitting shriek of delight and said: “I am ecstatic, this is brilliant, unbelievable.”
The pair, from West Hove, are playing in the Challenge for the first time and captured their prize by the narrowest of margins, on countback from two other partnerships.
At the end of the round at Mar Menor, they were tied on 40 stableford points with Frances Payne and Kay Bone of Essex and with Lancashire’s Lynne Perry and Irene Bowker. But Jill and Jenny came home in 21 points, compared to the 19 of the two other pairs.
“We were really steaming on the back nine,” said Jill, who contributed a four-pointer with a birdie three on the 11th. The pair, who have a regular Sunday morning game at their club, combined well with equal contribution to the score.
The competition was played in very hot sunshine, but there was plenty of good scoring. Lynne and Irene set the pace early on with their 40 points but were eventually pushed into third place after Kay and Frances also pipped them on countback.
“We played well,” said Frances, who contributed a four-pointer during the round. “We hit a similar ball and that helps us with clubbing.”
They were in the last group on the course, alongside birthday girl Belinda Martin of Cheshire. “I’ve had a fab day,” she said as she finished her round – and was greeted with a card signed by competitors, cupcakes and sparkling wine!
Scores
Mar Menor golf course, par 72
40 Jill Corbett & Jenny Davis (West Hove), ocb Kay Bone & Frances Payne (Upminster), ocb Irene Bowker & Lynne Perry (Morecambe).
39 Ann Hazelwood & Michelle Underwood (Fingle Glen)
38 Beryl Aubrey & Doreen Nicol (Henlle Park), Belinda Martin & Lesley Mifsud (Eaton), Gill James & Sue Howorth (Ringway), Nickie Clarke & Sue Heeles (Royal Norwich)
36 Janet Clare & Sadie Lines (Royal Norwich)
35 Marjorie Griffiths & Judith Wainwright (Ringway)
33 Kathy Hunt & Gay Mulvey (The Leicestershire), Sally Seboa & Anne Robertson (Shooters Hill/Bracken Ghyll), Janet Graham & Carolyn Lines (Abbey Hill), Polly Brettle & Sheila Petchey (Elsham/Holme Hall), Jan Redgment & Val Canham (Royal Norwich)
32 Diane Gouk & Lyn Edwards (Royal Belfast/Henlle Park)
31 Sue Evans & Kathy Evans (Henlle Park)
29 Helen James & Julie Macadam (Walmersley/West Hove)