DI TOWNSEND WINS NEW PAR-3 CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION Nottinghamshire’s Di Townsend is the first winner of EWGA’s new summer competition, the English women’s Par 3 championship, which was held at her home club, Ramsdale Park. “I just can’t believe it, I don’t win much and I’m thrilled to bits,” said the 30-handicapper, who played the challenging par three Lee course in net 38 – 16 below par. She won the trophy and a £150 voucher for a Junge jacket from prize sponsor Compass Clothing. What’s more, Di and her playing partners, Georgina Stevenson and Anne Boucher, scored a double for Ramsdale Park when they won the team prize. They faced a long wait before their success was confirmed. The trio were among the early starters and Di, who kept a close eye on the scoreboard, said afterwards: “I’ve been very nervous. I was sure I’d get knocked off by someone in the last group!” In fact, the last group included Ailsa Marsden of Scarcroft, who got within a shot of Di with a net 39 and who took second place. The waiting was eased by the complimentary glass of Pimm’s and cake which greeted all competitors as they came in from the course. The event was designed to be both competitive and sociable, with a hint of garden party atmosphere – and the blend proved to be a great hit with the players. They travelled from as far as Kent to take part and they spanned the generations. The youngest player was 14-year-old Emma Anderson of Sherwood Forest, whose grandmother, Marie Glew of Abbeydale, was also in the field. Emma was playing in a group led by her club colleague and England senior international, Janet Melville, and which was completed by Sarah Riddell, 15, of Ramsdale Park. Both teenagers play for the Nottinghamshire girls and Emma finished third overall while Sarah also played comfortably below her handicap. Meanwhile, Janet, a one-handicapper, returned the best gross score of the day, two over 56. “It’s been a fabulous day,” said Di, speaking for many of her fellow competitors who repeatedly remarked on their enjoyment of the event and of the challenging and attractive course. Di spent time on the course when she first took up golf, over a decade ago, and has recently been playing it on a weekly basis with her husband, who is now learning the game. But, until today she’d never played it at full length with the tees on the back markers and the pins in testing positions. “I just tried to treat it as a good game of golf, a fun day, and not get too serious about it,” she said. Click here for full scores Lyndsey Hewison EWGA Press and PR Officer
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