County Championship - Pyecombe

DAY 1
The first day of the Sussex Championship was eventful! Pyecombe golf club was shrouded in mist which refused to disperse so play was delayed by half an hour.  The girls finally got under way only to be suspended after a few holes as the fog rolled in again.  Under very difficult circumstances the morning round was completed, the players are to be applauded for their stoic attitude to the fickle English weather.

The afternoon round was shortened to 12 holes but in the event it was further reduced to 5 holes as conditions worsened.  The committee of the day made the decision as conditions went from extremely difficult to dangerous.  Congratulations to those players who made the top 16 and and returned this morning to commence the knock out stage.

DAY 2
At last a sunny day!  Pyecombe was bathed in glorious sunshine today and looked its best.  The morning matches were closely fought with two going to extra holes, the losers in the morning round went through to play in The Plate with the winners competing in the Championship knockout.  Twice round Pyecombe Golf Course is quite a physical challenge; but some golfers decided (yet again) to play extra holes!  It was nail biting to the last with Chloe Briance and Ellen Nicholas playing 2 extra holes and Karen Sykes and Paula Carver (an all Worthing match) and Holly Crompton and Chelsea Masters finishing on the 19th.

DAY 3
Semi-finals and finals day at the County Championships dawned sunny and became very warm.  The morning semi-finals got off to a good start with all matches played in the best of spirits.  Closely fought matches with one going to the 19th hole.After a speedy lunch the finals got under way.

In the Plate: Katherine Russell (Royal Ashdown Forest) played Anna Wills (East Sussex National)
A closely contested match resulted in a win for Katherine.  Well done to Katherine and also to Anna who was playing in her first Ladies Championship, aged 15 yrs.

In the Championship: Chloe Briance played Heather Tidy, both from Bognor Regis Golf Club
The heat of the day played a big part and thanks must go to Pyecombe members who took a supply of water out on the course for the thirsty golfers.  There were lots of spectators following the matches,  Bognor Regis especially were there to support their two members playing the finals of the Championship.

The course was displayed at its best with the sun shining and spectators lining the fairways.  The Club Captain, Cahel Logan and the Lady Captain Celia Schultz kindly agreed to referee the finals matches, their help was greatly appreciated by both players and organisers.

The new County Champion is Chloe Briance who has won this Championship several times; but not for a few years!  She played wonderful golf as did Heather and the Bognor Regis ladies admitted that they were so thrilled to have TWO Bognor ladies in the final.  Well done Chloe and Heather.