Golfer Katie is ace in Bognor pack - and ladies lift league crown

Bognor juniors had a play-off for the West Sussex League at Worthing GC against West Sussex GC. Unfortunately they proved too strong for Bognor’s relatively inexperienced side.

Bognor were runners-up in the league for second year running. They still qualified for the Langmead county finals at The Dyke GC in September.

The two Harrys, Malin and Isham, played in the South West of England championships, both making the cut, with Isham finishing 29th and Malin finishing third in a high-class field form all over England.

Meanwhile Katie Field had her first hole in one with a six iron, pitching past the flag and spinning back into the cup.

It was one of many special events for her in recent weeks. She has been part of the winning Sussex girls’ team defeating four other counties, and was part of the ladies’ scratch division one team who defeated Rye to win the event for the first time in the club’s history – winning her match at a key stage – and then went on to win her first ever full ladies competition, scoring a two-under gross 70, nett 64.

The Sussex Ladies’ President’s Trophy, open to over-50s and played in teams of three, with two scores to count and a minimum combined handicap of 36, was held at East Brighton GC.

Bognor’s representatives were Sophie James, Sue Crossen and Chris Tuke. After an early start, the trio dovetailed well and carded a total of 81 points.

They were pipped at the post by Chartham Park with 82. Royal Ashdown Forest were third.

Bognor’s ladies’ section sent their congratulations to the team for bringing home the runners-up trophy and shield.

Georgina McCormack, Kay Dady, Frances Paine, June Salt and Gill Harries supported them on the day.

Bognor ladies’ division-one team managed to qualify for the quarter-finals as best runners-up overall after the group round robins.

At Littlehampton in late July, they defeated Haywards Heath comfortably, then beat Chichester in the semi-finals at Slinfold Park in early August.

The final was held at Cooden Beach in mid-August when the weather was less than summery. In appalling conditions Bognor encountered Rye – always a tough nut to crack – but the ladies raised their game and, after a nailbiting finish which went down to the wire, they emerged victorious 4-3.

This is the first time Bognor have won the trophy, having been runners-up on previous occasions. On finals day the team comprised Chloe Briance, Heather Tidy, Suzanne Taylor, Katie Field, Sian Southerton, Caroline Pilbeam and Sophie James.

Other members of the squad who had contributed earlier in the season were Bridget Samuels, Teresa Byrne, Wendy Johnson, Gill Harries, Sue Meloy and Janet Carter.

Bognor seniors made the short trip to play Littlehampton seniors but were crushed 7-1.

Bognor’s only victors were John Woodhead and Mike Wadley with an excellent 5&4 win. As usual there was a tremendous camaraderie between the two c