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European Lady Juniors' Championship
Finals
Spain
were crowned the European Lady Juniors’ Team
Champions for the second successive time when they
beat Wales 6½ - ½ at Royal Cinque Ports
Golf Club, Deal, Kent (10 July).
Captain Vicky Pertierra said “We wanted to win
again and I am very proud of my team.” She had
particular praise for Elisa Serramia, the 2003 British
Champion, and Maria Hernandez who both scored a maximum
six points for the team. “They are two very
strong players who are important to us.”
Spain made
a quick start in the final, winning both morning foursomes.
In the singles, played in strengthening winds and
some showers, Wales began strongly but Spain gradually
took control. England, meanwhile, had to settle for
fourth place after loosing 4 – 3 to Sweden in
the play-off for the bronze medal. England made a
dream start, winning both foursomes, but only Naomi
Edwards (Ganton) managed to win her singles.
However the
match was marked by some astonishing low scoring.
Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park) was 6 under par when
she lost on the last to British Champion Louise Stahle,
who was 7 under. “It was probably the best I’ve
ever played in that situation. I was pleased with
myself for staying with her, I rate her as probably
the best amateur in Europe at the moment,” said
Sophie.
In another
singles Faye Sanderson (Heworth) was level par after
14 holes but lost to an opponent who was 5 under.
Alex Marshall (Burghley Park) had 3 birdies in the
last 6 holes as she staged a great fight back but
finally lost on the last.
Captain Pat
Skelton said “If we had played anyone else I
think we would of won.” Despite the disappointment
of missing out on a medal she insisted: “I think
the girls should be very pleased, they did extremely
well.”
Spectators
at the final included local golfers and group of Kent
juniors. A special thanks to 11 year old, Dolores
Brown of Royal Cinque Ports for her photography.
The
Championship will next take place in 2006 in the Netherlands.
Semi finals
England’s
titled hopes in the European Lady Juniors’ Team
Championships were dashed when they lost 4 –
3 to Wales in the semi finals. Sarah
Jones secured Wales’ place in the final against
Spain when she beat Felicity Johnson (Harborne) on
the 15th. It was the signal for the elated Welsh team
and their supporters to run down the fairways, whooping
with delight.
England, by contrast have to pick themselves up to
play for the bronze medal. They meet Sweden who lost
5 – 2 to Spain in the other semi final.
Laura Eastwood (Yelverton) said “It’s
not going to be easy but we have to gee ourselves
up.” Naomi Edwards (Ganton) added “It’s
better to be going for the bronze than nothing.”
The England – Wales match was tight. They shared
the foursomes and at the half way stage in the singles
each country was up in two games and all square in
the other.
Alex Marshall (Burghley Park) was a couple under par
when she won 6 & 5 to score the first point. Later,
Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park) delivered another point
when she won on the last.
But elsewhere, what ever England did, Wales matched
or bettered. Sarah Jones, a former Curtis Cup player,
played a number of majestic shots to the greens each
finishing within inches of the pin. On the short 4th
Naomi Edwards put her tee shot close to the hole for
a certain birdie; Breanne Loucks chipped in to halve.
On the 17th, Faye Sanderson (Heworth) hit the flag
with her nine iron approach to set up an easy birdie;
Kate Phillips calmly holed a long, curling putt for
her birdie and the match.
Afterwards England Captain Pat Skelton said “We
had our chances and we didn’t take them. But
that doesn’t take away from Wales, they played
jolly well, very well.”
The other semi final was also finely balanced after
the foursomes with one point a piece to Sweden and
Spain. In the singles however only Karin Sjodin scored
for Sweden. She was 7 up after 9 against 14 year old
Carlota Ciganda and won 6 & 5.
Prince Andrew writes letter of
support;
Quarter finals
England
are challenging for a medal after they beat Germany
4 – 3 to reach the semi-finals. The
victory was hard-earned, with some spectacular golf
from both teams, despite disruptions caused by bad
weather.
England finally claimed success
in the last match on the course when Naomi Edwards
(Ganton) won 1up to take the team through to the next
round.
England Captain Pat Skelton said
“It’s an absolutely amazing result. The
girls knew they would have to grind it out, they knew
it would be tough and it was a really big fight. But
now we can go on and challenge for a medal.”
Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park), who
won both her foursomes and singles, added “This
was the match we had to win, everything else is a
bonus.”
Sophie played a marathon 40 holes
in her two matches. In the foursomes she and partner
Alex Marshall (Burghley Park) went to the 22nd before
winning with a birdie two. In the singles she closed
out her opponent on the 18th green. Now England play
Wales while the other semi-final is between Sweden
and Spain.
Bad weather again dominated
the competition. Lightning caused several interruptions,
including one suspension of more than 90 minutes.
However, a team captains’ meeting agreed to
play on and the Championship resumed in more rain
and strengthening winds, but no more lightning.
Round 2
Play
was suspended in The European Lady Juniors’
Team Championships when 60mph winds swept the links
at Royal Cinque Ports in Kent.
The course became unplayable as balls were blown on
the greens and unbalanced on the tees. The players
from 11 countries were called in.
England’s
Felicity Johnson (Harborne), was first out and managed
to reach the 18th fairway. “It was an experience
out there,” she said. “It was probably
the windiest conditions I have played in. It was pretty
rough, getting worse over the last few holes.”
The exposed
10th green, close to the sea, was particularly tough.
Alex Marshall (Burghley Park), putted to within a
foot of the hole, only to see her ball blown 20ft
away.
Conditions
meant the draw for the matchplay stages of the competition
was made on Tuesday’s strokeplay scores. England
qualified comfortably in 5th place in the top flight
and now play Germany in the first round of matchplay.
France are leading the field and face Wales, Second
place Sweden play Ireland, Third qualifiers Spain
play the Netherlands.
Round 1
The European
Lady Juniors’ Team Championships first round
got underway with perfect sunny and calm weather conditions.
This helped produce some excellent play with three
players scoring 69 on the par 74 links course at Royal
Cinque Ports, Deal, Kent.
Denise Simon a 20 year old from
Germany shot the first 69, having had birdies on the
3rd,5th, 12th, 14th and the 15th having only visited
one bunker all round. Denise recently won the German
International Ladies’ Championship and finished
third in the French Amateur. Denise said “I
enjoyed the course and generally managed to reach
the greens with my second shot, so it was pretty easy
without the winds”. She is planning to turn
professional following the World Cup in Puerto Rico,
Argentina, during October this year. Maria Hernandez,
Spain and Valentine Derrey, France also scored 69.
Tara Delaney (Ireland) produced
a hole in one, using a 7 iron on the 8th. This is
her fourth hole in one and the third time during a
competition. Tara said “This is a great course
and I’ve had a good day”.
France lead the field at the
end of round 1 with a total score of 364, tied for
second with 368 are Germany, Spain and Sweden. England
are currently lying 5th with 369, Felicity Johnson
played true to her current form with a 71 and the
team are hopeful.
Press Release 5 July
2004
The English
Ladies’ Golf Association welcomes the players,
coaches and captains for the European Lady Juniors’
Team Championship 2004 on the 5th July, the event
takes place over 6 -10 July at Royal Cinque Ports,
Deal, Kent.
The teams were welcomed by Chairman
of Dover District Council, Cllr Pat Heath, Mayor of
Deal, Cllr Sue Delling and CEO ELGA Pauline Perla.
The countries were entertained by the East Kent District
Sea Cadet Massed Band lead by Band Master Lt (SCC)
Kevin Martin RNR.
Spain are hoping to retain
the championship title, they have a strong team which
includes Elisa Serramia, former British Champion and
14 year old Carlota Ciganda, Spains youngest star.
Captain Vicky Pertierra said “We are here to
win but are against good teams. So we need to play
well and have some luck on the English links course”.
6 - 10 July 2004
Press Release 18th
June 2004
ELGA are gearing
up to host the European Lady Juniors’ Team Championship
2004 on the 6 - 10 July at Royal Cinque Ports, Deal,
Kent.
The team consists of Sophie Walker
(Kenwick Park) Faye Sanderson (Heworth), Felicity
Johnson (Harborne), Naomi Edwards (Ganton), Alexandra
Marshall (Burghley Park), Laura Eastwood (Yelverton)
with Sian Reddick (Sene Valley) and Sarah-Jane Eaves
(Cosby) the reserves.
Felicity is the youngest member
of the team age 17, she has previously represented
England in the Girls’ Home Internationals and
the Girls’ European team.
Royal Cinque Ports secretary Ian
Symington said “We are all looking forward to
the event, it will be a very exciting week. I think
there should be some very, very good scores.”
Spain are the defending Champions
and will again be strong contenders for the title,
they will be joined by Sweden, Germany, Finland, France,
Ireland, Wales, Italy, Netherlands and Scotland.
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winners
A big thanks to all our sponsors
for their support
East Kent District Sea
Cadet Massed Band
Lead by Lt (SCC) Kevin Martin RNR
 The
Band is made up of local girls and boys aged between
12 and 18 years, coming from Ramsgate, Herne Bay,
Whitstable, Faversham and Margate areas.
The band quite often leads
Military Parades such as the British Legion and Remembrance
Sunday and recently Whitstable, Herne Bay and Ramsgate
bands came 1st and 2nd in the Area Competition in
Portsmouth competing against other Sea Cadet bands
in the Southern Area.
Photographs
Tom Ward and Dolores Brown (copyright).
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