Blackmoor Golf Club’s Susie Cave won the English Women’s Par 3 Championship after shooting a level-par 54 at Ampfield Golf Club in Hampshire.
Cave is the third member of Blackmoor to win the title in the past four years, following Esther Sparrow’s triumph in 2017, and Jane Shergold’s victory in 2015.
The 13-handicapper was three over par after seven holes, but birdies at eight, nine, 12 and 14, followed by precious birdie at the 18thsaw her win the title by a single stroke from Sylvia Wicker (Petersfield) and 12-year-old Rachel Mackinlay (Stoke Park).
Mackinlay didn’t come away from the day empty handed, however, as she combined with fellow Stoke Park players 13-year-old Jessica Pilgrim and 11-year-old Fraya Shiell to take the team prize. In the singles’ event, Shiell was two-over par to tie for fourth, while Pilgrim was a shot further back, tied seventh.
The three girls (pictured with Susie Cave) are all part of the junior scholarship programme at Stoke Park. Shiell plays off 20, Mackinlay off 13, while Pilgrim is already down to 10 and is a Young Ambassador for England Golf and the Golf Foundation.
“It was one of those days when everything went right, it was wonderful,” said Cave. “But what made it for me was the team that won. It was just brilliant to see this group of young girls, the future of golf, coming through and winning something. They were in front of us all the way round and they were inspiring to watch.”
The Par 3 Championship, which this year attracted a field of 100 players, prides itself on offering a mix of quality competition and generous hospitality. Cave added: “Ampfield was presented in superb condition, and was surprisingly green given the recent heatwave. The whole day was brilliant fun and there was lovely garden party atmosphere.”