Hampshire’s Chris Quinn wins third English seniors’ crown

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Hampshire’s Chris Quinn won her third English senior women’s championship when she beat Northumberland’s Lucy Newton by 2 and 1 in the 18-hole final at Hunstanton, Norfolk.
Meanwhile, Norfolk county captain Nickie Clarke won the Division B title, beating Cheshire’s Sheila McKinnon 3 and 1.
Chris Quinn, who previously won this event in 2004 and 2005 and was British champion in 2006, remarked about her latest success: “It’s always special to win, but it’s particularly nice to come back.
“I’m delighted to keep winning in seniors golf, when there are new players coming in all the time and we’re all getting a year older!” added Chris, who was 56 on Thursday.
“I’ve played quite a bit this spring in preparation for the season and got my handicap back to scratch. That gave me a little bit of confidence and I’ve driven the ball particularly well this week which helps on this course, which is a tremendous test of golf.” .
Lucy Newton is one of the newcomers to senior ranks and played fantastic golf all week before putting up a great fight in the final.
The match was played in strong winds and both players coped well with the tough conditions, but Chris had the advantage of much greater length, regularly hitting 250-yards or further.
She took the lead on the third and went two up on the tricky sixth hole where the upturned green and the difficult winds combined to frustrate Lucy’s approach shot. However, the Northumberland player fought back and was on level terms at the turn.
Chris pulled ahead again, winning the 10th – helped by one of her trademark long drives – and went two up with a birdie on the par-5 11th. She lost the 14th, a short par 4 where she tangled first with rough and then with a bunker. The players halved the next two holes before Chris sealed the title by holing a testing putt on the 17th.
Earlier the two players came through tight semi-finals which both finished on the 18th green. Chris beat Norfolk’s Jo Ashmore while Lucy defeated Lincolnshire’s Denise Parker.
The Division B title fight was also close. “It was a good match against a good opponent,” said winner Nickie Clarke, who was making her first appearance in an English seniors’ event. She didn’t get in front until the ninth, but once she took the lead she stayed ahead.
“I am absolutely over the moon. What could be nicer than to win in your home county and on such a wonderful golf course.
“I didn’t come here with any expectations because I haven’t been playing a lot of golf – but I am always optimistic and I had a good caddy!” Hunstanton member Jean Johnson was on the bag.
Nickie is a past chairman of the English Ladies’ (now Women’s) Golf Association and was a successful England team captain.
Results
Championship division
Semi-finals
Chris Quinn (Hockley) bt Jo Ashmore (Barnham Broom) 1 hole.
Lucy Newton (Matfen Hall) bt Denise Parker (Woodhall Spa) 2 holes.
Final
Quinn beat Newton 2 and 1

Division B
Semi finals
Nickie Clarke (Royal Norwich) bt Judy McCairns (Oxford Ladies) 1 hole.
Sheila McKinnon (Royal Liverpool) bt Julie Ballard (Littlestone) at 19th
Final
Clarke bt McKinnon 3 and 1.