Winners of the Knight Cup 2024 - Cowes G. C. Runners up - Waterlooville G. C.
We arrived at Skylark on a rather chilly morning. Luckily none of the thunder and lightning from the day before was lingering.
The morning semi finals kicked off with Rachael Terry from North Hants teeing off first followed by Jude Ferris from Cowes. Both had lovely tee shots and the match was underway. Faith Hendry from North Hants and Netty Smallman from Cowes completed the teams. Cowes soon took the lead and, at the turn was 4 up. North Hants fought hard to try and turn it round and started to do so on the back 9 but Cowes soon took control again and won the match 5 and 4.
The 2nd semi final was between Waterlooville and Hayling. Carol Hoey from Waterlooville tee’d off first, followed by Ali Cox from Hayling. Lorraine Babington from Waterlooville and Emma Jukes from Hayling completed these 2 teams. Very soon Waterlooville went ahead, and after 9, they were 3 up. They continued to keep their lead, with Hayling pulling back on the back 9 but Waterlooville hung onto their lead and won 3 and 2.
This produced the final which started at around 2.00 between Cowes and Waterlooville. Jude from Cowes was the first to tee off followed by Carol from Waterlooville. Waterlooville started well with a par on the first and a birdie on the 2nd. Pars were plentiful in this exciting final and after the 5th Waterlooville were 3 up. However, Cowes started their comeback and on the 9th Netty chipped into the hole from 30 yards out for a par and Waterlooville’s lead was back to 1 up. Waterlooville kept the pressure on and won the 10th and 11th holes pulling them back to 3 up. Cowes then starting pulling back again and at the close of the 15th hole the match was all square. Cowes then managed to keep going and went 1 up on the 16th. The 17th was halved and an amazing 20 ft putt from outside the green on the 18th secured the match for Cowes. It was a fitting finale for the Knight Cup 2024. Congratulations to Cowes.
I would like to thank Skylark for allowing us the use of the course. It was in incredible condition and the staff could not have been more helpful. Thanks to Michaela for being around all day and making sure we were looked after and to Angie and Jack for their help behind the scenes.