GEORGIA HALL SHOOTS A 66 TO LEAD ENGLISH QUALIFIERS

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATIONTeenager Georgia Hall, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, shot a superb six-under par 66 to lead the 32 qualifiers for the matchplay stages of the English women’s amateur championship at West Sussex. The event is sponsored by Tourism Ireland.

The English U15 champion from Remedy Oak in Dorset topped the leaderboard at three-under par. “I am really happy with that,” said Georgia, who played in this event for the first time last year.

She reached the turn at level par, with two birdies and two bogeys, and then stormed home in six-under par 31. She had four consecutive birdies from the 11th and finished her round with two more on 17 and 18.

It was her lowest-ever score for 18 holes and her best nine holes to date. “I didn’t think I would shoot that low, I just wanted to be level par or round about. Now I’ve got to get the matchplay right!”
Georgia’s iron play was immaculate as she knocked at least two shots to within a couple of feet of the hole. She also holed a number of good putts, including a 30-footer on the 14th.
The second qualifier was former English mid-amateur champion Lucy Williams of Mid-Herts, who was two-under for 36 holes, after returning a tidy pair of 71s.
This is Lucy’s first appearance in the championship. “I’ve never been able to play because of school exams and then university exams. I used to look at the scores and wish I was there,” she said.
She’s made an impressive debut, armed with a set of new woods, and commented: “I just really like this course, it suits my eye. Now I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
England girl international Alex Peters (Notts Ladies) also beat par in the second round with a 71 and took third qualifying spot, just pipping US student Ellie Robinson (Middlesbrough). Defending champion Hayley Davis (Ferndown) was fifth qualifier on level par, edging ahead of overnight leader Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton).
Buckinghamshire’s Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield) also had an exceptional back nine, coming home in five-under 32, helped by four birdies and an eagle, and qualifying in seventh place.
Cheshire’s Rachael Goodall (Heswall) transformed her fortunes with a hole-in-one on the 196-yard sixth hole, where she hit a rescue club over the water for her first ace. At the time she was four over par and she promptly birdied the next! She qualified in 20th place.
The last four places in the match-play draw were contested in a play-off by five players who all tied on 14-over par after two rounds. Cornwall champion Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro) was eliminated on the first hole, where she was bunkered. The successful four were: Sussex player Aileen Greenfield (Pyecombe), Natalie Lowe (Prestbury), Nicole Shaw (West Essex) and Emma Sheffield (Newark) who will play Georgia Hall tomorrow.
Another Sussex player, Stacey Rodger of West Hove, successfully negotiated the qualifying stages, taking 25th place.
The first round draw is:
Georgia Hall (Remedy Oak) v Emma Sheffield (Newark)
Hannah Barwood (Knowle) v Charlotte Wild (Mere)
Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) v Daisy Dyer (Chigwell)
Stacey Rodger (West Hove) v Shelby Smart (Knowle)

Hayley Davis (Ferndown) v Sophie Keech (Lyme Regis)
Charlotte Field (Bishops Stortford) v Charley Hull (Woburn)
Lisa Ball (Matfen Hall) v Rachael Goodall (Heswall)
Aileen Greenfield (Pyecombe) v Ellie Robinson (Middlesbrough)

Alex Peters (Notts Ladies) v Natalie Lowe (Prestbury)
Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer) v Jerry Lawrence (Rochester and Cobham Park)
Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham and St Annes) v Nikki Foster (Pleasington)
Hannah Grant (Enmore Park) v Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton)

Rachel Drummond (Beaconsfield) v Harriet Key (South Herts)

Jess Wilcox (Blankney) v Tara Watters (Muswell Hill)

Charlotte Thompson (Channels) v Lauren Blease (Burhill)

Nicole Shaw (West Essex) v Lucy Williams (Mid-Herts)

Click here for qualifying scores

Lyndsey Hewison

EWGA Press and PR Officer