CAROLINE MARRON LEADS ENGLISH SENIORS AT YORK

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Cheshire’s Caroline Marron began the defence of her title with a fine two-under par 71 to lead the first qualifying round of the English senior championship at York Golf Club today.
She is two shots ahead of a group of three fellow senior internationals who all shot level par: Chris Quinn of Hampshire, Roz Adams of Surrey and Jo Ashmore of Norfolk.
Meanwhile British senior champion Beverley New of Somerset shares fifth place on two-over par – despite a back problem which prompted a last-minute visit to an acupuncturist.
Beverley, who is playing in her first English senior championship, was a leading amateur before she followed a professional career which brought her wins in four countries. Since her return to amateur ranks in 2001 she has captained the English ladies’ team.

The Yorkshire challenge was led by former senior international Pat Wrightson of Huddersfield, and Judy Butler of Malton and Norton who are in a group sharing 10th place on 77.
Other Yorkshire contenders include another past international Carolyn Kirk of Ganton, who shot 80, as did Jackie Barraclough of East Bierley.
The first round was played in glorious weather and, with the course playing short, the competitors took advantage of the conditions with a host of birdies, notably on the par fives. Caroline Marron had a total of six in her round and reached the turn in a bogey-free four-under par 33.
"I couldn’t have wished for a better start but it is only the first round and there’s a long way to go. You just have to try and keep your feet on the ground and hit the next shot – and that’s what I shall try and do tomorrow,” she said.
Caroline was well prepared when she arrived at York. Her fiancé, the Bromborough professional Geoff Berry, had worked with her on the long game, and had recommended she fine-tune her short game with Heswall professional Alan Thompson. “I came here feeling quietly positive, which is nice,” she said.
The conditions were ideal for scoring and the players responded with almost one-third of the field - 27 golfers - returning 80 or better.
After tomorrow’s second round the top 16 players will go forward to the championship match-play on Thursday and Friday; the next 16 players will contest the second flight.
For the first time this year the competition will include a consolation Stableford for a maximum of 32 players who fail to qualify for the match-play stages. It will take place on the morning of Thursday, April 21, and will be played after the first round of matches have teed off. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Leading scores
Par 73 CSS 73
71 Caroline Marron (Bromborough)
73 Chris Quinn (Hockley), Roz Adams (Addington Court Ladies), Jo Ashmore (Barnham Broom).
75 Beverley New (Lansdown), Barbara Laird (Sandiway)
76 Lulu Housman (Highgate), Elaine Elliott (Whitley Bay), Pat West (Spalding),
77 Sue Penfold (Mapperley Ladies), Lindsey Shaw (Chevin), Pat Wrightson (Huddersfield), Gabi Heuchel (East Berkshire), Judy Butler (Malton & Norton)
78 Janet Melville (Sherwood Forest), Pauline Daymont (Alnmouth)
79 Jan McGowan (Bromborough), Sheree Dove-Wilde (Chobham), Jane Shergold (Blackmoor), Ruth Lindley (Hartlepool)
80 Vivien Saunders (Cambridge Meridian), Jackie Barraclough (East Bierley) Diane Wilson (Denham), Sue Dye (Delamere Forest), Irene Brien (Wentworth), Carolyn Kirk (Ganton), Carol Wild (Notts Ladies)


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Lyndsey Hewison
Press and PR Officer