County Champs 2024 - Kate Evans triumphs at last!
01 September, 2024
OLCGA County Championships
Venue: Hadden Hill
Date: 29, 31 August and 1 September
Winner: Kate Evans, Frilford Heath
Runner Up: Lara Murphy, Frilford Heath
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This year the competition returned to its more traditional 36-hole stroke play format, with the top 8 players progressing through to the knock-out stages of the event to crown the 2024 County Champion.
The small field was further depleted by unavoidable late withdrawals. Nonetheless, an enthusiastic group of players enjoyed a perfect day for two rounds of golf at an immaculately turned out Hadden Hill course. The greens, in particular, were a real treat to putt on, and the host Club proved a very welcoming and well organised venue for the three-day Championship.
After 36 holes of Strokeplay the seasoned veteran, Kate Evans from Frilford Heath, topped the table with the lowest gross for the day. It was a score that also saw her take the County’s Senior Champion trophy.
With a day’s rest in between, players from Frilford, Henley, Kirtlington, Hadden Hill and Tadmarton returned on Saturday morning for the first knock-out stage. 2 players from the Junior Academy featured in the draw, and the bottom match between Lara Murphy (Frilford Heath) and Sarah Clarke (Hadden Hill) produced the ‘match of the round’ with the game being won by Lara 1up on the final hole.
A very early start on Sunday morning saw the four remaining competitors return for the last day of play. The final match was contested between our County Senior and Junior Champions. It saw the Senior champion, Kate Evans, take a steady lead after 9 holes, but a determined Lara Murphy sank some clutch putts on the back 9 to remain in the match. The closing holes of the tournament made for exciting viewing for the spectators who were treated to some splendid golf by both players, but the consistency and distance control of Evans throughout the game was impressive to see, and she was rewarded for it with the Championship win.
Finalist Lara Murphy (left) and Champion Kate Evans
A clearly delighted Evans, who has been runner-up in the past but never won the event, said, “A great week of golf. Exhausting, but very happy to finally win the championship after 18 years of trying. All that practice and effort pays off. It's never too late”. What a story, and let’s hope it encourages more in the County to give the main Championship a go next year.
With thanks to everyone at Hadden Hill who was involved in hosting the competition, and also to Christine Bishop, County President and Jenny Nunneley, Competitions’ Organiser who oversaw a smooth and enjoyable event.
Finalists, caddies and County President after the tournament finished