Joanne is East of Scotland Girls' Champion

Joanne Free, Gullane Ladies, beat Catherine Goodwin, Glenbervie, at the 19th in the final of the East of Scotland Girls' Championship today at Braehead G C. Congratulations to both Joanne and Catherine on an excellent and exciting final played in the best of spirits.
Report and photos to follow.

 East Of Scotland Girls' Champion 2013 - Joanne Free

Finalists, Catherine Goodwin and Joanne Free

The final of this year’s Championship was between Catherine Goodwin, Glenbervie, and Joanne Free, Gullane. Unfortunately the weather deteriorated in the afternoon and the whole final was played in very wet conditions. However the girls played amazing golf in spite of the rain.

Joanne won the 1st when Catherine three putted after a great approach shot. At the 3rd, Catherine played an excellent shot from near the out of bounds, onto the green and won the hole to square the match. The fourth was halved, then at the fifth Joanne’s ball went out of bounds and Catherine won the hole with a par to go 1 up. After Catherine’s ball found a difficult lie in a bunker at the par 3 6^th, Joanne played a lovely shot into the middle of the green and the match was square again. The 7^th was a long hole into the wind, which Joanne won to go 1 up. The 8^th and 9^th were halved.

Joanne went 2 up for the first time at the par 5 10^th. Both girls missed the green at the 11th but pitched and putted for par 3’s. Catherine won the 13th to cut Joanne’s lead to 1up then squared the match at the 15^th when Joanne’s teeshot went out of bounds. At the 16^th, girls drove to the right of the green, Joanne had a difficult pitch which she left short, Catherine pitched on safely and 2 putts secured a par to win the hole and go 1up. The 17^th was halved in par 5s. Joanne had a long drive at the 18^th, played an excellent fairway shot then a good pitch and putt to secure a birdie 4 to square the match. At the first extra hole, both girls had good drives but Catherine had a tight line to the green, clipped a tree and had to play a full shot to get on the green, Joanne’s second found the green and 2 putts secured her par and victory. Congratulations to both girls on their excellent golf and for giving us such an exciting match to watch.

Our thanks to Christine Sikora, President of Stirling & Clackmannan, for her support during the two days of the competition and for announcing the girls on the tee. Thanks also to Midlothian Captain, Sheila Stuart, for refereeing the final. We appreciate the support of the East Division officials throughout the year.

Thank you to Braehead Golf Club for the courtesy of the course for our Summer Meeting and Championship and for giving us such a warm welcome. The course was challenging and in excellent condition – thank to Elizabeth Goodwin, Stirling & Clackmannan Junior Secretary for arranging this year’s event.

Thank you to all the girls who played and to all the parents who brought them. It was a great two days!