Aberdeenshire LCGA officials, vice-captain Marta Moody (left) and captain Ellie Whyte (right) flank the four county championship semi-finalists at Portlethen GC: Sara Mathieson, Donna Pocock, Sammy Leslie and Linda Carnie (images by Cal Carson Golf Agency; click on them to enlarge).
Sammy's grandstand finish -
wins Aberdeenshire title
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Westhill teenager Sammy Leslie staged a grandstand finish to win the Aberdeenshire women's county golf championship for the first time at Portlethen Golf Club today.
Never in the lead, Sammy was two down on the 16th tee in the final against Donna Pocock (Murcar Links), the No 1 seed and the 2008 champion.
Then the 18-year-old Leslie suddenly produced the form that had toppled the defending champion, Sara Mathieson (Royal Musselburgh), by 6 and 5 in the morning semi-finals, thus avenging defeat by Sara in last year's final.
Leslie, the No 3 qualifier, won the 17th with a par 4 and the 18th with a bogey 6 to be all square for the fourth time in the match. The difference was that this time Sammy went on to lead for the first time at the first extra hole.
Donna conceded the match and the title to her younger opponent when she had failed to get down in two from the edge of the green with Leslie, having played a great approach shot to within 2 1/2ft of the flagstick.
Today's results:
SEMI-FINALS
Donna Pocock (Murcar Links) bt Linda Carnie (Newburgh on Ythan) 3 and 1.
Sammy Leslie (Westhill) bt Sara Mathieson (Royal Musselburgh) 6 and 5.
FINAL
Leslie bt Pocock at 19th.
SAMMY ABERDEENSHIRE'S BEST - BAR NONE!
New Aberdeenshire champion Sammy Leslie worked behind the bar at Westhill Golf Club until late on Saturday night - "I need the money!" she said - but she still played tremendous golf to score upset wins in the semi-finals and again in the final on Sunday.
"I played badly in the Helen Holm tournament at Troon last weekend but my game's been getting better all week," said Leslie.
"Even when I was two down on the 16th tee, I never really thought about losing. I just concentrated on winning the 17th and when I did, I focused on winning the 18th."
Aberdeenshire county captain Ellie Whyte said: "Sammy Leslie came of age in this championship, and particularly on the last day. I've watched her making progress from being a little girl competitor in the Aberdeenshire girls' competition."
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Westhill teenager Sammy Leslie staged a grandstand finish to win the Aberdeenshire women's county golf championship for the first time at Portlethen Golf Club today.
Never in the lead, Sammy was two down on the 16th tee in the final against Donna Pocock (Murcar Links), the No 1 seed and the 2008 champion.
Then the 18-year-old Leslie suddenly produced the form that had toppled the defending champion, Sara Mathieson (Royal Musselburgh), by 6 and 5 in the morning semi-finals, thus avenging defeat by Sara in last year's final.
Leslie, the No 3 qualifier, won the 17th with a par 4 and the 18th with a bogey 6 to be all square for the fourth time in the match. The difference was that this time Sammy went on to lead for the first time at the first extra hole.
Donna conceded the match and the title to her younger opponent when she had failed to get down in two from the edge of the green with Leslie, having played a great approach shot to within 2 1/2ft of the flagstick.
Today's results:
SEMI-FINALS
Donna Pocock (Murcar Links) bt Linda Carnie (Newburgh on Ythan) 3 and 1.
Sammy Leslie (Westhill) bt Sara Mathieson (Royal Musselburgh) 6 and 5.
FINAL
Leslie bt Pocock at 19th.
SAMMY ABERDEENSHIRE'S BEST - BAR NONE!
New Aberdeenshire champion Sammy Leslie worked behind the bar at Westhill Golf Club until late on Saturday night - "I need the money!" she said - but she still played tremendous golf to score upset wins in the semi-finals and again in the final on Sunday.
"I played badly in the Helen Holm tournament at Troon last weekend but my game's been getting better all week," said Leslie.
"Even when I was two down on the 16th tee, I never really thought about losing. I just concentrated on winning the 17th and when I did, I focused on winning the 18th."
Aberdeenshire county captain Ellie Whyte said: "Sammy Leslie came of age in this championship, and particularly on the last day. I've watched her making progress from being a little girl competitor in the Aberdeenshire girls' competition."
Labels: County News
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