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Saturday, August 05, 2006

ENGLISH U-18 GIRLS FINAL

RACHEL JENNINGS WINS ENGLISH U-18 GIRLS' TITLE

Staffordshire's Rachel Jennings birdied the last two holes to beat Hertfordshire's Charlie Douglass by one hole in the final of the English Under-18 girls' championship at Kings Norton Golf Club today.
Rachel, a girl international from Izaak Walton, had fought back from three down with four to play and wept with joy after she sealed victory. "I just can't believe it. I'm an English champion, it just feels amazing," said Rachel, who will be 18 later this month and was playing in the tournament for the last time.
She has little time to celebrate. Tomorrow she flies to Ireland as part of the England team which will bid for a seventh consecutive victory in the girls' International Matches.
"I can't wait for next week," said Rachel, even as she was savouring her championship win.
Rachel and Charlie (Brocket Hall) staged a tense and enthralling final for the crowd of at least 200 spectators.
On the front nine they halved every hole except the par five 5th, which was won by 17-year-old Charlie. Rachel got back to all square on the 10th but then lost the next three holes as she struggled with her putting.
"I knew I could come back, I've done it before," said Rachel. "I knew I was still in it and I didn't worry about missing a few short putts because anything can happen in matchplay."
She won every hole from the 15th to transform her scoreline from three down to 1 up - finishing with a birdie two on the 17th, where she hit a seven iron, and a birdie four on the 18th, where she reached the green in two.
"I'm just stunned," said Rachel, who wore lucky lime green clothing all week. "And I'm gutted for Charlie because she was three up. She's a very good golfer."
The Flight Two final was won by Ami Storey (Ponteland) who beat Stephanie Gough (Ellesborough) on the final green at the end of a close and sporting match.