England international Sally Shayler defended the Welsh Women’s Open Senior Championship with a course record – while falling in love with the host venue Cardigan.
A strong Welsh performance saw the rest of the top five places taken up with home players, as Conwy’s Linda Carruthers finished runner up for the second year running, while winning the Welsh Women’s Senior Open Closed Championship.
Ann Lewis, Royal St David’s, was in third place as the top three places were the same as last year, Deborah Howard, Pennard, one better than last year in fourth and Sue Caley, Apsley Guise and Woburn Sands, in fifth. Also Maesdu’s Jane Hallows was tied sixth.
Former firefighter Shaylor, aged 54 from Bedfordshire, was joint leader after the first round, but then made the most of the sunny conditions in Cardigan with a fine second round of 72 to set the new course record and win by three shots.
“I am very proud to have come to Cardigan and defended, and I had to set a course record to do it because Linda was playing so well finishing just three shots adrift,” said Shayler.
“Cardigan was stunning to play, I have never seen views like it, it was amazing. It was a bit windy and I had to keep it straight and narrow in places, but I have never been anywhere like it.
“It was nice to win last year (In Llandrindod Wells), my first national title, but defending it was quite another thing because there were so many good golfers playing, especially from Wales.”
Since winning the title last year, Shayler has remained in the England Senior Women’s team and was undefeated at the European Senior Golf Team Championships.
Wales Golf Competitions Manager Dan Fullager was also full of praise for the host venue links course on the West Wales coast.
“Cardigan provided a superb backdrop for a top quality competition, rounded off with Sally setting a new course record to take the title,” he said.
“Congratulations to her for defending, but also to the strong Welsh challenge with so many players doing well.
“Linda Carruthers finished as runner-up for the second year running with Ann Lewis in third place once again, both of them just one shot behind Sally’s record-setting final round.
“Thanks also to the staff and volunteers at Cardigan for helping to make the event such a success.”
