Press Release: England win the Nations Cup at the British Girls
05 August 2004

Staffordshire’s Katrina Holford helped score an early double success for England in the British Girls’ Championship at Lanark, Scotland.

The 17-year-old from Ingestre Park teamed up with new English girls’ champion, Melissa Reid (Chevin), and Felicity Johnson (Harborne) to win the Nations Cup for England for the first time in 15 years.

Katrina also led the qualifiers into the matchplay stages of the championship with scores of 73 and two-under par 71 in the 36-hole strokeplay.

Both achievements were at the expense of Spain. The English trio came from five shots behind after the first round to win the team award by one shot. Their total was 293, with Melissa returning 75, 75, and Felicity contributing 76, 74. The Spaniards were runners-up on 294 while France were third on 299.

Meanwhile, in the individual qualifying Katrina was tied with two Spaniards, 14-year-old Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz. They both scored 70, 74 and she beat them to pole position in the matchplay draw thanks to her better second round.

Katrina was one of five English players to make it through to the matchplay alongside Melissa, Felicity, Claire Aitken (Mid-Kent, 75, 79) and Henrietta Brockway (Yeovil, 74, 80). All except Claire won their first round ties.

England’s great start to the championship was praised by squad manager Claire Lilley: “We’re all absolutely delighted to win the Nations Cup. Spain were five shots ahead after the first round and the girls did very well to win.

It’s also great to get five players through to the matchplay from a very strong field of internationals and continentals.” Only 32 players qualify for the championship matchplay from a field of 128.

Katrina Holford