Congratulations Caroline
England Golf Press Release
Image by Leaderboard Photography
Kerry Smith managed to hold off the competition to win the English Senior Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship by three shots at her home club, Waterlooville Golf Club.Â
It wasn’t the final round she’d hoped for as she finished +4 for an overall score of +3, but it was enough to see off Caroline Berry (Bromborough) and Switzerland’s Karin Luxon, who both finished tied-2nd on +6 overall.Â
Smith said: “I’ve had the most enjoyable three days and I’m really happy. I think I had a bit of an edge coming into the competition because I know the course very well, having been a member since I was a junior, but there’s always added pressure too as all the members think you’re going to do well. I’ll be celebrating by going out with some family members at the weekend and having a good time!”
Ultimately Smith’s -2 on day one was crucial, in what was one of only two scores under-par across the three rounds of the tournament. It was her second Senior Women’s national victory after she won the English Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in 2023 and after being asked what was left to win, she added: “Hopefully the British Stroke Play would be very nice!”
Runner-up Berry, can take pride in another fine performance, having finished runner-up in both the English Senior Women’s Amateur in May and now the English Senior Women’s Stroke Play, while Jackie Foster, who beat Berry in last month’s event in York, finished this week’s competition in 4th position, seven shots back of winner Smith.Â
Smith also won the award for top player in the 50-54 category while Luxon won the award for top player aged 55-59. Jane Southcombe (Broadstone) finished top in the 60-64 category with +18 overall, while Berry was the top performer aged 65-plus.Â
Keenan wins Handicap Tournament
Meanwhile, Charlotte Keenan was crowned winner of the English Senior Women’s Stroke Play Handicap Tournament, as she edged Sue Poulter (Alresford) over 36 holes by a single shot at Waterlooville Golf Club.Â
The competition, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, saw the East Berkshire golfer, playing off an 11 handicap, finish strongly as her second round of nett-74 (+1) was enough to secure the title ahead of Poulter, who shot the best score of the competition with a nett level-par 73 in the final round.
Ann Hazlewood (Warren) was a further shot back in 3rd and Gabi Heuchel (East Berkshire) was 4th as a shot separated players from 1st to 4th. Check out the final leaderboards here.
