New Yorkshire Ladies champion Nicola Slater overcame some high-class opponents and heavy rain to take the title for the first time at Ilkley GC.
The Lindrick GC player’s victory was as much a triumph for the Ilkley greenkeeping staff, led by Duncan Campbell. Each of Saturday matches – last 16 stage and quarter-finals – was accompanied by a greenkeeper to keep the putting surfaces free of water.
The 21-year-old saw off former Curtis Cup player Emma Brown (Malton & Norton) in the quarter-finals and then 2019 Yorkshire champion Lily Hurst (Woodsome Hall) in the last four before eclipsing county team-mate Hannah Holden (Huddersfield) 2&1 to take the trophy but only after an early scare.
With semi-final opponent Lily Hurst on the bag, she lost her ball at the first and found herself two down early on. The former Yorkshire Girls champion quickly regained her composure though and built up a healthy 4up lead around the turn before her opponent fought back. However with holes running out Nicola secured victory with a birdie on 17.
The champion said: “This was one I definitely wanted to tick off. I’d won the Yorkshire Girls twice and the Northern Girls and Northern Ladies so it was great to win it.”
The weather for the semi-finals and final was much improved and in the other last four match Holden edged out Mia Eales-Smith, also from Lindrick, at the 18th.