Fabulous Fiona smashes record

SIMPLY FLAWLESS . . . Fiona Dooley celebrates her round of 65.

Bogey-free 65 ‘best round I have played’

FIONA DOOLEY has shattered the women’s course record at Werneth.

The four handicapper posted five birdies and 13 pars in a flawless five-under-par gross 65 to regain the record she lost in 2003.

And Fiona admitted it might have been an even lower score.

“Three other putts lipped the hole, the last one from little more than three feet,” she said.

What made the record-breaking round even more special was that it was achieved in a major as Fiona retained the Handley Memorial Trophy by a landslide nine-shot margin.

Fiona, winning the event for a fifth time, added: “I have been playing my best-ever golf this year.

“And this was my best-ever round, especially as it was in a major. If anything, it was surreal and like watching someone else play.”

Fiona had briefly held the record with 71 until Jane Fletcher bettered it with a 69.

She added: “I knew a record was on with four holes to go and was really nervous.

“I asked my playing partner Pat Grant to keep me talking so I did not lose the plot. She was brilliant.

“In the past I have been in a similar position only to blow the round by bogeying the remaining holes, but this time I parred them all.”

Fiona (44) has also won the club’s Centenary Medal and Lady Captain’s Prize during her recent purple patch.

She puts her good form down to playing regularly - sometimes six or seven times each week - and believes a spell at North Manchester also improved her game.

Runner-up in the Handley Trophy was Jane Clark (83-14-69).

Tied for the first division sweep were Heather Jeffreys (90-18-72) and Lisa Hall (97-25-72).

Glynis Jones (106-32-74) took the second division sweep from Christine Moon (112-36-76).