Dream Oldham championship debut for victorious Julie

Brookdale's Julie Evans made a dream debut in the Oldham Ladies Golf Championship to claim victory by five shots.

The 69-year-old grandmother, who has been golfing for 12 years, shot an impressive 89-12-62 over the sunbaked Saddleworth course.

It had looked for much of the afternoon that a play-off was going to be needed to see who lifted the 101-year old Chronicle Cup trophy.

Holder Jane Antrobus (Oldham) and Saddleworth's Sarah Mitchell were tied on four-under 67, but they were blown away by Julie's nine-under score.

A delighted Julie said 62 was most certainly her best ever round and she was thrilled to win such a prestigious competition.

Julie took up golf at 57 to be able to play in corporate days as part of her work and is now working hard to bring her handicap down.

The mother of four boys and four grandchildren was also hoping for good news from off the course as niece Alice is due to make her a great aunt anytime soon.

On the course, Julie made  five pars in a very steady round that left her with plenty of shots in hand on the way in.

Jane Antrobus pipped Sarah Mitchel for the runners-up spot with Mitchell third.

And Saddleworth took the other prizes with Pauline Richardson fourth with a nett 68 and  Maxine Parfitt best gross with an 81.

And the home club also claimed the Centenary Trophy for the best four scores with a total of 276 with a 12-shot victory over Brookdale for the quartet of Mitchell, Richardson, Jane Wild and Liz Pugh.

David Whaley, secretary of Oldham and District Golf  and the former editor of the Chronicle, presented the trophy to the winner and praised the women golfers of the borough for maintaining traditions whilst adapting to take the game forward.

David also paid tribute to the great work of Oldham Ladies Golf Association (OLGA) secretary Marjorie Bray for her many years of work with the competition.

Marjorie says she is stepping down but David jokingly said they would believe that when it happens!

Next year's event is at Brookdale on May 19.

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