Hampshire golfer Emma Shepherd has won the Women’s Race To Woodhall Spa Final after shooting 38 points on Woodhall Spa Golf Club’s Bracken Course.
In a field of 53 players at England Golf’s headquarters, it was the 57-year-old from Rowlands Castle Golf Club, playing off 36, who came out on top as she edged Jocelyn Bowe (Davenport) by a single shot thanks to a front nine of 18 points and a back nine of 20.
After only taking up the game a little over two-and-a-half years ago, victory came as a major surprise for Shepherd, who was over the moon to receive the trophy.
She said: “I’m shellshocked! It was totally unexpected, but I’m delighted. I never thought I’d get through the first round, let alone win the final. I’d like to thank my home golf club, Rowlands Castle, for all their love and support and brilliant messages I’ve received and thank you to England Golf and Your Golf Travel for putting on such a great event.”
Bowe, playing off 31, scored on all but one hole on her way to amassing 37 points for second place. Anne McKay (38 handicap, Brocton Hall) completed the top three after beating 25-handicapper Deborah Connor from Letchworth GC on countback after both players finished on 35 points.
Meanwhile, in the Australian Spoons Final, a Stableford foursomes competition for women with a handicap index between 15 and 54, Royal Ascot’s Julie Gill and Rayma Maier shot 33 points to take home the trophy. Belton Park’s Ailis Smith and Pamela Rogers finished second (31 points) ahead of Portmore Park’s Amanda Webber and Joanne Lethaby (30 points).