ENGLISH LADIES SENIOR INTERNATIONAL 2012

CAMBRIDGE MERIDIAN 

America’s Susan Moon storms to victory

The English Ladies’ Senior International at Cambridge Meridian continued to the third and final day in ideal conditions. The tournament is one of just two championships in Europe open to Senior Women pros – the other being the French championship, played annually at Chantaco, home of the Lacoste family. Cambridge Meridian owners, Jenny Wisson and Vivien Saunders OBE, hosted the tournament this year, and welcomed competitors from thirteen countries.

The third day at Meridian saw a real tussle between the holder, Scotland’s Cathy Paton-Lewis who went into the final round with a 2 shot lead over America’s Susan Moon.  Cathy stood one over par after the first 36 holes, to Susan’s three over par. Cathy had won the English Ladies’ Senior International in 2010 and 2011. Susan had won the Chantaco event earlier in 2012. Cathy continued to hold a narrow lead until the 11^th when Susan drew level. The American then proceeded to birdie three of the last six holes to storm home to a 3 under par, 71 and a level par total for the three days of 222.

Susan expressed her delight and was “over the Moon” to win the first prize of £1,000 and to grab the European senior double – the French and English Opens. Cathy’s two over par, 76, was virtually flawless, but with birdie putt after birdie putt just lipping out. Her round left her 6 shots ahead of Rica Comstock, another American former winner of this event. England’s Roz Adams led the amateur challenge tying with Rica on 231.

Two players showed astounding consistency for the three rounds – Rica Comstock with three rounds of 3 over par 77, and Finnish amateur, Minna Kaarnalahti with three rounds of 79.

The international event was won by the team from the USA, with the Scottish players – Cathy Panton-Lewis, Pat Smillie, Carol Cass and Pam Dobbs in second place. Pat, of course, is a former English international and England coach but was persuaded to take up her Scottish birth qualification for this event!!

Other Winners

Winner of Flight Two, for players of 8 handicap and above, was Teresa Paffett of Hampshire, one shot ahead of Buckinghamshire’s Debbie Harridge.

Over 60’s Amateur Championship – winner Roz Adams – 231 (79,79,73)
Runner-up – Ruth Lindley

Over 65’s Amateur Championship – joint winners Sally Mathurin and Sue Pidgeon

Final Results –Par 74

Susan Moon (USA) - 222  (74,77,71) Level par
Cathy Panton-Lewis (Scotland) – 225 (71,78,76) +3
Roz Adams (Amateur) (England) – 231 (79,79,73) +9
Rica Comstock (USA) – 231 (77,77,77) +9
Corinne Reybroeck (Belgium) – 235 (82,75,78) +13
Chris Langford (England) - 237 (80,76,81) +13
Minna Kaarnalahti (Amateur) (Finland) – 237 (79,79,79) +15
Helen Reid (Netherlands) – 237 (82,82,73) +15
Nathalie Jeanson (France) – 240 (81,81,78) +18

The 2013 Championship will be held at Cambridge Meridian from August 20^th to 22^nd. www.golfsocieties.com