Teenage golfer crowned club champion

GOLFERS might be attaining a higher standard at a younger age nowadays, but there can't be too many 15-year-old club champions dotted around.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Aug 2004, 15:43 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:09 BST

The ladies' section of Cooden Beach Golf Club possesses one, however, in the form of Charlotte Catley, who became the youngest ever winner of the club's blue riband event, which dates back to the 1930s, last weekend.

And nobody can say it was a fluke either because, not only did the 10 handicapper post the lowest two round total in the initial part of the De Winton Championship, but she also won the matchplay knockout competition involving the eight best scorers from the main strokeplay competition.

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"She's very happy," said father John. "We thought she would have a good go because she's a fierce competitor and we know she's got a good game.

"I think it will give her a lot of confidence. She's not short of confidence but it will encourage her to go on. The club have been very good to her and we're certainly considering the possibility of some sort of career in golf."

Cooden's ladies' press secretary Elaine Lawson added: "I just enjoy watching somebody play so beautifully. Everyone's delighted with her, she's absolutely the most delightful person you could ever meet."

Charlotte, the only member of the field to break 80, shot a six-over-par 78 on the second day of the Championship two weekends ago which gave her a two round total of 164, two strokes ahead of runner-up Marie Burton who finished on 166. Kay Mitchell won the Nett Cup with a total of 144, although Charlotte's 136 constituted the best score.

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The matchplay title followed a week later in the wake of victories over Mary Joan Lloyd, Jane Warden and defending champion Sarah Keating in the final. Playing the opening eight holes in one under par (approximate scoring due to concessions), 1066 Sporting Club-sponsored Charlotte proved too hot to handle and eventually clinched the crown at the 15th.

The Claverham Community College student's impressive run of form has also included a gross 75 in the Highwoods Junior Open and the securing of a place in the Sussex girls' under-18s team whom she will represent during Inter-Counties Week at Highwoods on August 16-18. Charlotte has been aided by the tuition of Cooden professionals Jeff Sim and Shaun Creasey.

De Winton Club Championship results - quarter-finals: Charlotte Catley beat Mary Joan Lloyd, Jane Warden beat Maureen Heppell, Sarah Keating beat Kay Mitchell, Marie Burton beat Bridget Ducat. Semi-finals: Catley beat Warden, Keating beat Burton; final: Catley beat Keating.