Jessica leads English girls’ championship
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Devon’s Jessica Bradley scored a one-under par 71 to take a three-shot lead after the first round of the English girls’ championship at Durham City.
Jessica, who is the Devon girls’ champion, had an eagle and four birdies in her round – including one birdie on the first and another on the 18th hole.
“It was really good fun and the lowest score I’ve ever done in major competition. I’m very pleased with my start because the course is quite tight and the greens are tricky,” added the 16-year-old from Tiverton.
Jessica is a member of the English Women’s Golf Association’s Select Southwest squad. She’s three shots clear of Cheshire’s Rachael Goodall (Heswall) who recently won the Harper Salver, the prestigious West Country scratch event.
A shot further back is a group of four players, including Durham girls’ champion Rebecca McGinley of South Moor, and Suffolk’s Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) who won the 2007 U15 title.
Essex golfer Georgina Kilby (Warren) provided one of the highlights of the day when she had a hole-in-one on the 130-yard 7th hole, where she used an eight iron. “It was a really good shot and I could see it all the way. My mum just leapt up in the air!” said Georgina. “It gave me a big adrenalin rush and made me play better.”
The 16-year-old had dropped three shots in the first four holes but she eventually came in with a creditable 78.
After the second qualifying round the top 32 players will qualify for the championship match-play. The next 32 will play in the second flight.
LEADING SCORES
Par 72
71 Jessica Bradley (Tiverton).
74 Rachael Goodall (Heswall).
75 Rachel Woodcock (Blankney); Charlotte Wild (Mere), Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry), Rebecca McGinley (South Moor).
76 Kimberley Bradbury (Cavendish), Melissa Siviter (Enville), Nikki Foster (Accrington & District), Sarah Tyson (Redlibbets).
77 Siobhan Richards (Owston Hall), Jessica Wilcox (Blankney), Abbey Gittings (Walmley), Jenna Birch (Royal Lytham & St Annes), Daisy Dyer (Chigwell), Hannah Lovelock (Hindhead Golf Club); Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa).
78 Georgina Kilby (Warren), Giorgina Brown (Mere), Kimberley Crooks (Saltburn by the Sea).
79 Imogen Covell (Huddersfield), Emma Carberry (Highwoods, Bexhill), Abigail Cammack (Worthing), Chloe Dexter (Beedles Lake), Sian Evans (Faversham), Katie Thompson (Meon Valley), Katie Burman (John O'Gaunt).