English County Championship 2005

Brancepeth Castle Golf Club
The Club House
Brancepeth
Durham
DH7 8EA

7th - 9th September 2005

Points

Games

Yorkshire successfully defend County Final title

Yorkshire have won the English County Championship at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club on a count back of matches. Play had to be abandoned early in the afternoon due to continuous torrential rain.

Yorkshire tied with Gloucester on points but won 15 games to 12 therefore becoming the 2005 County Champions. Hampshire finished third with 10½ games and Northamptonshire finished fourth in their first County Final.

Following rain throughout the night and all day, Met Office reports dictated unfavourable weather conditions, which would have made play dangerous. The decision was made to cancel the afternoons singles matches.

In the mornings foursomes Yorkshire’s Emma Duggleby and Naomi Edwards won 5&4, in the second match Rachel Bell and Kiran Matharu won 4&3. The experienced Kerry Smith and Chris Quinn beat Cheryl and Michelle Smith 4&2.

Gloucestershire also took two points in the foursomes. Hannah Barwood and Charlotte Ellis won 4&3 and Sharon Heeley and Sian James finally winning their close match on the 18th against Sharon’s ELGA Development Officer colleague Kirstie Jennings and her partner Kelly Hanwell.

Yorkshire’s captain Ann Thomas said: “It’s been a super week but it is disappointing we can’t take the competition to the conclusion. We are delighted to have successfully defended the title, the course has been excellent”.

The team of eight were presented with Hillbilly trolleys and all the players are very pleased. Ann has kindly offered to raffle the ninth trolley at Yorkshires AGM for their Counties training charity.

The Gloucestershire team are disappointed not to have had the chance to contest the title but in good spirit Jenny May the captain said: “Well done Yorkshire”.

Gloucestershire and Yorkshire draw, it’s all to play for on the last day

Gloucester and Yorkshire had a close days battle in the English County Championship at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club.

Yorkshire won two of the morning foursome points, following a 3 down fight back by Hannah Barwood and Charlotte Ellis (Gloucestershire), who were all square going down the 18th when Yorkshires’ Cheryl and Michelle Smith won with a four for the second point of the day. Sharon Heeley and Sian James took the final point for Gloucestershire winning 3&2.

In the singles Jo Hodge was one up going down the 18th, her 7ft putt lipped out to halve the match with Rachel Bell. Emma Duggleby and Kiran Matharu took the next two points and the final three matches all finished 4&2 for Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire captain Jenny May said; “It’s been tight all day and could have gone either way at any point, the team have really pulled together, it’s a great result, we are all very pleased”.

Hampshire beat Northamptonshire 6-3 having won two of the foursome matches and taking four of the singles matches. Sarah Carter (Northamptonshire County GC) had a hole in one on the tricky 200 yard 9th hole with an 8 iron.

It’s all to play for on Friday 9th September, the last day, when Gloucestershire play Northamptonshire and Yorkshire play Hampshire.

Yorkshire make a strong start to defending county title

Yorkshire started the competition by winning all three foursomes matches 2&1 against Northamptonshire, who are making their debut in the English County Championship at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club.

In the singles Yorkshire continued their show of force winning 5½ points, giving them a total of 8½ points on the first days play. Ann Thomas, Yorkshire’s Captain said: “We have a great team, it’s difficult to choose between them. They have loved the course, it’s in excellent condition, the greens are very fast”.

Gloucestershire representing the South-West beat Hampshire 5½ - 3½, Captain, Jenny May said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won, this was a close match. Sian James celebrates her 17th birthday today, she is one of our young stars and won her foursomes match 1up, then halved her singles match – happy birthday Sian!”.

Thursday, September 8 will see Gloucestershire play Yorkshire and Northamptonshire play Hampshire.

WEDNESDAY 7th SEPTEMBER
9.00 a.m. and 1.15 p.m. Hampshire v Gloucestershire
9.45 a.m. and 2.15 p.m. Yorkshire v Northamptonshire

THURSDAY 8th SEPTEMBER
9.00 a.m. and 1.15 p.m. Gloucestershire v Yorkshire
9.45 a.m. and 2.15 p.m. Northamptonshire v Hampshire

FRIDAY 9th SEPTEMBER
9.00 a.m. and 1.15 p.m. Hampshire v Yorkshire
9.45 a.m. and 2.15 p.m. Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire

Teams & Colours

GLOUCESTERSHIRE (SW)

UNIFORM: Burgundy , Navy and White
CAPTAIN: Mrs Jennifer May

1 Miss Hannah Barwood
2 Mrs Linda Carruthers
3 Miss Charlotte Ellis
4 Mrs Sharon Heeley
5 Miss Joanne Hodge
6 Miss Sian James
7 Miss Leah Occleshaw
8 Mrs Karen Rix
9 Mrs Ros Ewer (Reserve)

HAMPSHIRE (SE)

UNIFORM: Light Blue and Navy
CAPTAIN: Mrs Jackie Keay

11 Miss Liz Bennett
12 Miss Tracey Boyes
13 Miss Olivia Higgins
14 Mrs Chris Quinn
15 Miss Kerry Smith
16 Miss Katie Thompson
17 Miss Kelly-Anne Travers
18 Miss Helen Wheeler
19 Mrs Fiona Khan (Reserve)

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE (M)

UNIFORM: Royal Blue and Navy
CAPTAIN: Mrs Heather Williams

21 Miss Sarah Carter
22 Miss Lucinda Davies
23 Miss Georgina Dunn
24 Mrs Carol Gibbs
25 Miss Kelly Hanwell
26 Mrs Kirstie Jennings
27 Miss Emma Parr
28 Miss Roseann Youngman
29 Mrs Mary McLaren (Reserve)

YORKSHIRE (N)

UNIFORM: White, Green and Stone
CAPTAIN: Mrs Ann Thomas

31 Miss Rachel Bell
32 Miss Emma Duggleby
33 Miss Naomi Edwards
34 Miss Jodi Ewart
35 Miss Rachael Lomas
36 Miss Kiran Matharu
37 Miss Cheryl Smith
38 Miss Michelle Smith

Yorkshire to defend county title
12/08/05

Yorkshire will defend their title in the finals of the English Counties’ Championship at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club from September 7-9.

The Northern Division champions will be challenged by Hampshire, representing the South East Division, Gloucestershire from the South-West, and Midlands’ winners Northamptonshire, who are making their debut in the county finals.

The tournament is being sponsored by Hillbilly and the players in the winning team will each received an electric golf trolley.

The order of play for the round robin tournaments is:

Wednesday, September 7 – Hampshire v Gloucestershire; Yorkshire v Northamptonshire.

Thursday, September 8 – Gloucestershire v Yorkshire; Northamptonshire v Hampshire.

Friday September 9 - Hampshire v Yorkshire; Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire.

The teams are:
Hampshire: Captain Jackie Keay;. Liz Bennett, Tracey Boyes, Olivia Higgins, Chris Quinn, Kerry Smith, Katy Thompson , Kelly Travers, Helen Wheeler. Reserve Fiona Khan.

Gloucestershire: Captain Jennifer May; Joanne Hodge, Linda Carruthers, Sharon Heeley, Leah Occleshaw, Hannah Barwood, Sian James, Charlotte Ellis, Karen Rix. Reserve Ros Ewer.

Yorkshire: Captain Ann Thomas; Emma Duggleby, Naomi Edwards, Rachel Bell, Kiran Matharu, Jodi Ewart, Michelle Smith, Cheryl Smith, Rachael Lomas.

Northamptonshire: Captain Heather Williams; Kelly Hanwell, Carol Gibbs, Roseann Youngman, Sarah Carter, Emma Parr, Kirstie Jennings, Lucinda Davies, Georgina Dunn. Reserve Mary Mclaren.

View Previous winners

Sponsored by:

Yorkshire 2005 County Champions

Sharon Heeley and Sian James v Kelly Hanwell and
Kirstie Jennings on 18th

1st tee, final day

Rachel Bell on the 17th

Kerry Smith and Chris Quinn day 1

Brancepeth Castle Golf Club

Yorkshire County Final Champions 2004