Harpenden Golf Club’s ladies regained the Ovaltine Scratch Team title for the first time in years after beating Bishop’s Stortford.

The Ovaltine League, organised by the Hertfordshire Ladies Golf Association, has long provided the opportunity for women to represent their golf clubs in a scratch league played throughout the County and Harpenden is fortunate to field two teams.

This year the A Team captained by Cathy Gosling, the Herts Ladies’ Senior Champion, reached the Division One final for the first time in five years. A very strong line-up to face Bishop’s Stortford in the final comprised Gosling, Alison Franklin, the Herts County champion, Rhona Finch, Jeanne Moffat and Naoko Wada. They had been ably supported by the lady captain of Harpenden, Mel Arnold, Sally Odell and Amy Banks in earlier matches.

After a Saturday morning coaching session with head professional Peter Lane, the playing team were focussed on the final the following day at Hadley Wood Golf Course. which was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, the architect of Augusta National, home of The Masters.

Unsurprisingly, it is a difficult course at the best of times. After a hard fought match, Harpenden beat Stortford four matches to one to win back the title.