Midland Division Junior Matchplay Finals.

On 22nd and 23rd October the junior girls team played in the junior matchplay finals at Stoke Rochford Golf Club nr Grantham. The weather on the Friday was very wet so I was saying a prayer for drier weather on Sat and Sun.

The team for this event was Laura Collin Katie Burman JOG Holly Aitchison Beds Heather Mutton Rebecca Samuels LB and Megan Birdsey Griffin.

We all arrived at our hotel on Friday evening a 300yr old coaching inn. County captain Margaret and 1st team player Cecilia Holden had booked an overnight stay in a nearby hotel so we took the team to visit and the girls were able to have a team building game of pool. Holly’s Dad John tried his best to convince the girls that the hotel was haunted and that they should listen out for weird noises in the night.

An early breakfast was needed on Sat morning. The weather was cold but dry and we faced a strong Staffordshire team at 8.30am, who were also in yellow team colours. The team was confident and looking forward to playing although there were a few nerves showing.

Support from Bedfordshire ladies was all around the course with Margaret to be seen zooming around in a buggy cheering everyone on.

The result was a win to Staffs 5/1 but everyone played well especially Megan and Rebecca who were making their debut for the county. All the Staffs team were single handicap players.

A quick lunch was taken and some encouraging words from Vicki Collin on the tee and we were off playing against Northants. Again Margaret was seen in her buggy making sure all the girls were ok and offering food and drink even making sure that the county junior organiser was eating and drinking to keep up her energy.

The result was a halve.

A meal was enjoyed at the golf club followed by snooker on the clubs snooker table and then back to the hotel for baths and an early night and that was just the CJO.

A brighter looking team had a full breakfast at the hotel and were all set up for a relaxing 16-hole stableford at 10.30 on the Sun morning.

Again the weather was bright but a little warmer. All the team played well with some good scores.

Staffs beat Northants 4 ½ 1 ½ but on the holes lost and won that put us and Northants equal with Staffs the winners of the shield. Megan Birdsey was third in the stableford with 32 points for 16 holes. All the girls received a goody bag.

Congratulation to all the team. An absolutely outstanding performance by everyone.

Many thanks to Cicely, Margaret, Sue, Cecilia, Vicki, John, Alistair, the ladies from JOG and the ladies from the first team and all our supporters.

In 2006 this event is to be held at JOG and I want the junior team to be there so we have to work hard over the winter. I look forward to your continued support next season.