British Ladies Open
Knock Golf Club were delighted and honoured to be asked by the LGU to host the 2016 LADIES BRITISH OPEN AMATEUR STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP. This is the premier strokeplay event in the LGU amateur calendar and was held between 31st August and 2nd September 2016 with practice on the two preceeding days.
Over 70 0f the best lady amateurs entered the championship which is played over three days with the leading 40 and ties after the second round qualifying to play 36 holes on the final day.
Sophie Lamb, an 18-year-old Lancashire lass and member of Clitheroe Golf Club, scored the biggest win of her fledgling career . She is the 2016 Ladies British Open Amateur Stroke-play Champion after coming to the front for the first time over the final round of the 72-hole tournament. Sophie, who helped England win the Home Internationals title at Conwy, North Wales the previous month, has been knocking on the door of a big win as an individual and finally it opened for her.
Lamb shot rounds of 77, 68, 72 and 74 for a one-under-par total of 291.
Runner-up was GB and International Chloe Williams (Wrexham) with scores of 71, 77, 75 and 70 for one-over 293.
Alessia Nobilio, the 14-year-old Italian who had led the field through the second and third rounds, faded as the wind rose for the final round. She had scores of 73, 71, 71 and 79 for 294 but was beaten on the better last round for third place by Georgia Price (Bude and North Cornwall), 73, 72, 78 and 71.
Sophie Lamb started the final day one shot behind the leader, Alessia Nobilio, after a second-round 68 which stood up as the lowest round of the tournament.
The highest placed Irish player was Annabel Wilson (Lurgan) who finished sixth on 297 with a final round of 75 which had contrasted halves of 34 out and 41 in. After birdies at the fourth, fifth and eighth, she had bogeys at the 11th and 13th, a double bogey 5 at the short 16th and a bogey at the last.
Italy won the team prize.
KGC ‘s Organising Committee worked hard to ensure the Championship was a success. Their efforts were greatly praised and rewarded. Special mention was made of the immaculate condition of the course which was prepared by Lee Eager (Course Manager) and his staff. The players all commented on the difficult but fair test of golf provided for them.
The Council was especially pleased with the assistance provided by the large numbers of volunteers from the club membership.
Gary Ewing
Chairman Organising Committee
