Our final event of the year saw golfers converge onto Oswestry Golf Club for the 1st day of our special 36 hole event, The Borders Challenge.
With blue skies ahead, players from all over the Midlands enjoyed the ‘obligatory’ Prosecco and pastries on registration, (the savoury ones going down a treat) and off we all went to play the AM-AM format with Nearest the pin in one and nearest the pin in two for the 4th and 18th respectively.
I introduced a ‘Gimmigan’ as opposed to a Mulligan raising money for charity. Most players were able to go to their accommodation and once freshly attired, returned to the club at 6pm for dinner. A Sunday roast was offered to us with a choice of desserts and after being well fed and watered, we all prepared for the next day’s competition at Llanymynech Golf Club.
An added pleasure at Oswestry GC was Lady Captain Pam Mclean stepping in at short notice to replace one member of team stricken down by Covid. She was a welcomed invitee and we thank you for helping us on the day.
Arriving at Llanymynech I was happy to see Diana Chadwick, marketing manager who had come to help for the morning (Thank you Diana.)
We were met with promising weather and for the first 15 holes saw sunshine but then the skies opened and our later tee time players felt the wrath of the elements. Plus it was a blustery day anyway, so we were all well challenged. Not however before we could all enjoy the amazing views from the 12th tee, over- looking vast stretches of Shropshire and beyond.
After burning up considerable amounts of calories, the sandwiches and chips went down very well and I was able to announce the winners of both days of golf and the Shropshire Borders Challenge Trophy winners who would have the best two scores overall from the event.
To add to the anticipation, I had chosen a ‘ghost player’ to replace me for the day on both courses who was Sandra Bickerton from Cannock Park Golf Club, she ended up doing rather well!
DAY 1 (OSWESTRY) PRIZE WINNERS WERE…
1st prize – Jean-Louis Ambert, Andrew & Amanda Knee (Trentham) & Sandra Bickerton with 86 points
2nd – Genine Riley (Bloxwich), Jane Aston, Lesley Smith, Isobel Graham (Shifnal) 85 points
3rd – Carol Webster, Sue Turner (Brocton) Julie Want and Sue Parker (Shifnal) 83 points
NTPs – Genine Riley (Bloxwich) and Andrew Knee (NTP in 2) (Trentham)
DAY 2 (LLANYMYNECH) WINNERS
1st prize – Jan Chapman, Sandra Bickerton (Cannock Park) Angela Allington & Jim Jacobs (Market Harborough) 90 points
2nd – Sam Smith (Brocton GC) Penny Speer, Colleen Painter, & Chris Holloway (Walsall) 85 points
3rd – Team ex Ladies Love Golf, Jane, Lesley, Genine and Isabel 85 points
NTPs – In 1, Sam Smith – in 2, Mandy Ambert
Congratulations to our Shropshire Borders Challenge champions with the best score over the two days combined – Jim, Sandra, Angela and Jan (main image, top of page)
I would like this opportunity to thank John and Sian the secretaries at Oswestry and Llanymynech respectively, Anthony and Jason their caterers, plus Peter and Tom PGA pros for simply making the whole process seamless. The courses were a reflection of the expertise in the greenkeeping staff and everyone loved both and enjoyed the diversity of the courses.
Congratulations to all competitors – thanks also to prize sponsors Island Green, to the host clubs and Horsley Lodge, Newcastle, Gaudet Luce and Drayton Park GCs for providing fourball prizes.
The MGALS will return in 2023 for a new series of events which will include another 36-hole, two course challenge – this time in Herefordshire
MANDY AMBERT – MG LADY EDITOR AND MGALS ORGANISER
