Heywood shoots a new course record

CROMPTON and Royton Lady Captain’s Prize presentation (left to right): Kath Clinton (bronze), Bernie Fitton (second round), Margaret Bailey (runner-up), Lynn Truelove (lady captain), Marjorie Bray (winner), Karen Heywood (first round), Pauline Givvons (silver) and Jean Heathcote (senior).

MARJORIE Bray won Lady Captain’s Prize at CROMPTON AND ROYTON, but it was Karen Heywood who stole most of the thunder after shattering the course record.

Heywood shot a four-under-par gross 69 for a nett 68 to break the record of 70 which was shared by Bernice Fitton in 1997 and herself in 2005.

She fired fire birdies and one bogey and at one stage thought she might have been on for an even lower score.

Heywood said: “I was three under-par after nine holes and knew if I kept it up I was on course for the record.

“I birdied the 17th and parred the last for 69, but I had chances and could have easily have shot 67 or 68.”

Heywood added that she was desperate to break the record, saying it was one of her last chances before she turns professional.

“I have been after the record for some time and it is nice to finish as an amateur in style, and it is something I am proud of,” she continued.

And unsurprisingly the nett 68 won Heywood the first-day prize while Fitton claimed the honours in the second round with 78-6-72.

Bray triumphed for the main prize with a two-round total of 182-40-142 as she finished one shot clear of runner-up Margaret Bailey (188-45-143).

Pauline Givvons (167-18-149) finished first in the silver division while topping the bronze was Kath Clinton (198-52-146).

A special award for the top player over the age of 70 went to Jean Heathcote (191-38-153).

Amanda Delaney lifted the Winterbottom Cup after shooting gross rounds of 78 and 75 for 153. Runner-up was Zoe Styles (76 and 78 for 154).

Julie Barton (108-36-72) won the first-day EGWA medal while the leading player in the second round EGWA medal was Styles (83-7-76).

Crompton and Royton have had a mixed bag in team matches, winning two and losing two.

In the Lancashire Shield, silver division, they defeated Manchester Hopwood 4.5-2.5 at home through wins by Margaret Butterworth (1up), Christine Rimmer (5&4), Madge Millett (3&1) and Elaine Burston (3&1), Val Hall halves her match.

Brenda Bellis (3&2), Hall (2&1) and Burston (3&1) could not stave off a 4-3 loss at home to Whitefield.

The bronze division team beat Swinton Park 3-2 at home through Noreen Nicholson (8&7), Jennifer Sykes (2&1) and Joan Pedder (2up).

But they lost 3-2 at home to Bolton Lostock despite wins by Nicholson (4&3) and Kath Clinton (1up).

Glynis Jones and Lisa Hall will represent WERNETH in the Lancashire final of the Scott Leggatt Foursomes.

The local pair, the Werneth club champions, triumphed in the South East Lancashire final at Great Lever and Farnworth.

They had a return of 101-30-71 which gave them victory as they were one of nine pairs to win through to the final.

Pat Grant amassed 40 points to take top spot in a singles Stableford.

Madge Griffiths claimed the first-division sweep with 37 points from Joan Swindells (36).

The second division sweep was won by Stephanie Banks (38pts) from Glynis Jones (33).

SADDLEWORTH’S nine hidden holes competition, a three person Stableford, produced a victory for Anita Scholes, Barbara Shuttleworth and Jo Dewhurst with 43 points.

In second place with 41 points were Ann Walsh, Ann Head and Linda Newman.

Jane Wild romped to victory in a two-ball Stableford with 34 points, six clear of second-placed Julie Ward.