County Championships were held at The Bedfordshire this year on 8th to 10th May in absolutely glorious sunshine, and 2008 produced the best golf ever played in the Championship.

Day 1: 36 Hole Medal Qualifying
Top seed and home player Holly Aitchison, knew that all eyes were on her as she opened the 2008 Championships with a drive ripped straight down the middle on the 1st. She didn't disappoint, as she posted scores of 70, 68 (a new home player record) and qualified in top spot, 12 shots clear of 2nd qualifier, Cecilia Holden from John O'Gaunt.

MORNING
BEST GROSS HOLLY AITCHISON BED 70
1st NET NICKI JACKSON MILL 69
2nd NET CECILIA HOLDEN JOG 70
3rd NET LIN GUNN WYB 70
DALTON SALVER NICKI JACKSON MILL 69

AFTERNOON
BEST GROSS HOLLY AITCHISON BED 68
1st NET MARGARET SEABROOK BED 67
2nd NET CECILIA HOLDEN JOG 68

AGGREGATE OVER 36 HOLES HOLLY AITCHISON BED 138

FOURSOMES
1st BARBARA TALBOYS AND GRACE BELCHER – BED 34 POINTS
2nd LESLEY MAY AND AUDREY SHUTER – JOG 31 POINTS (Congratulations to County Captain and County President, who found time among all the organising to post an excellent foursomes score. Presumably, Lesley had to push the bags as well!)

MATCHPLAY QUALIFIERS
Holly Aitchison (BED), Cecilia Holden (JOG), Sally Shayler (BED), Elaine Bruce (JOG), Laura Collin (JOG), Lin Gunn (Wyb), Lizi Sweetnam (LB), Bridie Quinn (SB), Jocelyn Faris (B&C), Margaret Seabrook (BED), Pippa Willis (COLM), Chris Sparkes (BED), Anita Booth (DD), Gill Westgate (B&C), Kate Wright (LB), Christine Jones (DD)

Day 2: Last 16 and Quarter Finals
The golf was tense on Friday morning, with Holly, Cecilia, Sally, Elaine, Laura, Pippa, Lizi and Bridie all going through to the quarter finals. Holly met Bridie, and tore the course apart. Lizi played very sensible, safe golf to dispatch Cecilia on the 18th. In an all John O'Gaunt quarter final, Laura pipped Elaine by shooting her 2nd sub par round of the day. Sally and Pippa produced the match of the round, and with everything hinging on the last putt, Sally just snuck through.

Day 3: Semi Finals and Final
If we thought the golf on Friday was good, think again. Saturday's 3 matches produced over 20 birdies, many just for a half! Holly and Laura were out first. The Bedfordshire course record stands at 65. Laura shot a gross 66 (6 under the standard scratch.) Holly managed to win by finishing birdie, birdie and equalling the course record, 65. Wow!!! Following behind were Sally and Lizi, who had both come through tough quarter finals, but upped their games further, with Sally's experience pulling her through to win.

The course was definitely second to the players in the final. Despite tough pin positions, the 2 players peppered the flags from everywhere for birdie after birdie. At 3 down, with her opponent already on the green on the 15th, Sally produced an incredible shot under pressure to put her ball 10 feet from the flag. Conversion was imperative, and Sally duly obliged, only to watch Holly sink her 9-footer for a half. The drives up 16 left the girls with just flicks onto the green. Sally put hers very close, and Holly then chipped to just a few inches. For the 2nd time in a day, she was forced to finish birdie birdie to win. It was an amazing day for all the spectators, and all matches were played in tremendous spirit. Congratulations to Holly, Sally and all the players.