19 year old Hendry, a former schoolgirls internationalist, edged into the final after a semi final victory at the second extra hole against former champion, Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) in the morning. Watt, playing in the championship for the first time, reached the final with a 4 & 3 win over host club member Margaret Rae.
The finalists produced some excellent golf in the afternoon. After going behind early in the match, Watt squared the game with an eagle 3 at the 360 yard fifth hole, but Hendry hit back, securing successive holes at the 7th, 8th and 9th to take a three hole lead at the turn.
Watt reduced the defecit at the 10th, but a bogey at the next hole allowed Hendry to restore her 3 hole advantage. A half in birdie 4's at the 12th hole maintained Hendry's lead, and a birdie at the 13th increased the lead to 4 holes, with five remaining.
Watt was unlucky to see her 20' birdie putt at the short 14th pull up on the lip of the hole, and the hole was halved, giving Hendry Dormie advantage.
At the long, 368 yard, par 4 15th, Watt pulled her approach short left of the green, whilst Hendry, after a magnificent drive, secured the centre of the green with her approach.
Watt chipped well, to 15', and although Hendry narrowly missed her birdie putt, Watt was unable to hole her putt for par, and conceded a 5 & 3 victory to her young opponent.
Despite defeat, Watt contributed well to an excellent final, with better ball figures of 5 under par when the match ended.
Thursday's results :-
SEMI FINALS
Debbie Watt (Belleisle Ladies)
beat
Margaret Rae (Kilmarnock Barassie)
4 & 3
Lesley Hendry (Largs Routenburn)
beat
Catherine Malcolm (Prestwick St. Cuthbert)
at the 20th
FINAL
Lesley Hendry
beat
Debbie Watt
5 & 3
Trophies and prizes were presented at the conclusion of the championship by Barassie Ladies Captain Chris Auld, and Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club Vice Captain, Colin Adam, who also refereed the final match.
No comments:
Post a Comment