CHARLIE DOUGLASS won the English Ladies Amateur Championship to make county golfing history as the first Hertfordshire player to capture the title. Charlie, a 20-year-old member of Brocket Hall, defeated Tara Watters of Muswell Hill in the final at Lindri

CHARLIE DOUGLASS won the English Ladies Amateur Championship to make county golfing history as the first Hertfordshire player to capture the title.

Charlie, a 20-year-old member of Brocket Hall, defeated Tara Watters of Muswell Hill in the final at Lindrick in Yorkshire on Saturday by 3&2

Now, an emotional Charlie, who said afterwards "I am on top of the world," is looking to the future with her eyes set on a professional career.

"I wanted a big title to show I had a solid amateur career behind me before going to the tour school in January," she said.

In gaining that title, left-handed player Charlie displayed her ability to fight back after an early setback which could have ended her hopes. In the first qualifying round, she shot 87, but in determined mood responded with 75 to reach the match play stages.

"After that I had nothing to lose and winning is just fantastic," she said.

In the final Charlie went straight into the lead, winning the first three holes, Tara missing a makeable putt at the first, losing to a birdie at the second and being bunkered at the next.

Charlie birdied the long fifth to go four up, only for Tara to stage a recovery with a birdie at the sixth and winning the eighth and 10th to be only one down.

Both missed the green at the 11th for Charlie to win the hole with a bogey.

She won the next to be three ahead, lost the 13th where Tara played a superb up and down from a deep bunker, and with the next two halved, Charlie rolled in a 12ft putt at the long 16th to clinch the title 3&2.

"This is probably the best I have played this year," she said. "I have been working extremely hard on my short game with Mark Roe (former Euro Tour player) and it is paying off."

Earlier, fortune had not favoured Middlesex Champion Tara, for a storm had halted her semi-final with Emma Brown (Malton and Norton) after 14 holes the previous day and she had to play six holes at 8.30 on Saturday morning, winning at the 20th, before meeting Charlie in the final.

"It was a bit difficult making the switch to the final and I was a bit jittery," said Tara.

"Charlie played great and you can't take it away from her."

Charlie was taken to the 19th before beating Hannah Coles (Maxstoke Park) in the first round, then beat the 2007 champion Naomi Edwards (Ganton) 4&2. In the quarter final she beat Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) 5&4 and reached the final by beating Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley) 6&5.

Earlier in the year Charlie had been in top form in Spain, winning the Hacienda Festival del Alamo in Murcia, and reaching the quarter finals of the Spanish Championship in Las Palmas.