Runners Up: Studley Wood GC 

Witney Lakes provided the venue for this year’s Ann Starkey Trophy. On a dry and fair day, it was a superb location for the competition. The Course was well presented, everyone was greeted with a warm and efficient welcome from the Club’s officials and members of the ladies’ section, and we were thoroughly looked after for the whole day. 

Teams from Frilford Heath, North Oxford, Studley Wood and Tadmarton arrived for the morning semi-finals. There was quite a buzz in the Club House as teams discussed pairings amongst themselves for one final time prior to finalising those playing. The scrutiny was worth it, with all matches closely contested, and ebbs and flows across the board. By the time the semi-finals were decided, a very quick lunch turnaround was required for the two victorious teams of Frilford Heath and Studley Wood, aided by a slightly adjusted start time for the final facilitated by the Witney Lakes marshal for the day. 

With strong and competitive golf from both teams in the morning, it was clear the afternoon’s final was going to be hard fought. And it proved to be, with golfers on both sides playing solid golf throughout the afternoon despite it being the second round of the day for most. Again, matches ebbed and flowed, and spectators were treated to some very good golf.

Such was the tightness of the final, every single match reached the 18th hole. Excitingly, the very first match of the day saw the teams all square on the 18th hole after a superb must-make long putt from the Studley Wood team won the hole. Of course, with every match being played to a conclusion, it saw the opening pairs continue down the 19th. And that’s where the match ended, on the putting green, with the Frilford Heath pair taking the honours, and with that the trophy for their Club.

Well done to all who played. There was some very good golf on display. And congratulations to Frilford Heath who are this year’s Ann Starkey Trophy winners.