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The Leveret Trophy 5th 2008
10 miles away at Aintree 'Comply or Die' was winning the Grand National and at Formby Ladies Lancashire's Rachel Connor from Manchester Golf Club kept very patient in the testing weather conditions to edge ahead of the quality field and win the Leveret Trophy for the first time.
In the morning it stayed fair and although the sun shone, the strong cold northerly wind showed how difficult Formby Ladies course can be become. In a field of 54 with the highest handicap being 5.7 the CSS rose by 2 shots to 74. Katie Best, Sherwood Forest dropped 3 shots to the turn then found her putting boots on the back nine. Katie came back in an unequalled 32 for 71 gross the only score all day on the leader board in red figures. Samantha Round, Tadmarton Heath, was close behind with 72. Followed by Rachel Connor (73) and the 13 year old Elizabeth Mallett from Sutton Coldfield Ladies on 74.
In the afternoon with 13 players within 5 shots of the leader Formby had its own race where the lead kept changing hands. The wind had turned to the North West making the well guarded greens all the more difficult to find and many approaches fell into the new bunkers. Taking an early lead was the former British Champion, Janet Collingham, country member of the nearby Royal Birkdale club but whose home club is now Sherwood Forest. Janet carded an excellent 72 3 under the afternoon CSS of 75 for a total of 150. Later the 14 year old Alex Peters of Notts Ladies dropped shots on the 14th and 17th for a 74 to match Janet's 150. Then the talented Hannah Barwood, Knowle who is determined to master this tricky course dropped a shot on the last for 74 and a total of 149. Meanwhile Samantha Round was in complete control at one over par through 28 holes but an ugly triple bogey at the 11th unsettled her. 4 more dropped shots on 12,14 and 15 sent her to Banbury with a rueful smile and a 77 for joint second place on 149.
The course was now clear for the 17 year old Rachel Connor to canter home with a 75 for a winning scratch aggregate of 148. On winning, Rachel was very proud to win the Leveret after years of coming close. She, like so many of the field, who travel from all over England, Wales and Scotland, see it as a great opener to the domestic amateur season. The course is presented in such great condition and the event is always very well planned said Rachel & she's already looking forward to defending next year.
Everything ran smoothly throughout the day and the club is immensely proud to have hosted such a popular and prestigious event. It is hoped to hold the next Leveret Trophy on Saturday 28th March 2009.
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