For the first time in 40 years, Northumberland’s women’s team will represent the north in the English Women’s County Finals after a sensational victory at County Match Week
For the first time since the 1980s, Northumberland’s women’s team won the right to represent the north in the English Women’s County Finals after a dominant performance in County Match Week at Hessle Golf Club.
The Northumberland team – featuring county champion Rebecca Ferguson, England international Charlotte Naughton, Zara Naughton, Louisa Hamilton, Antonia Emmerson, Judith Moore, Amelia Temperley, Samantha Allen and June Lomax – went unbeaten in the three-day event, which brings together the six northern counties (Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Northumberland).
The round-robin event sees each team play five matches – each made up of two foursomes games and three singles ties played concurrently – with two sessions on each of the first two days and the final session on day three.
Northumberland opened the event with a 4-1 win over hosts Yorkshire – Louisa and Antonia teaming up for an emphatic 8&7 foursomes win, while Judith and Amelia won their foursomes match 2&1. The Naughtons also won their singles ties – Charlotte triumphing 6&4 as Zara won 2&1.
In the afternoon session on day one, Northumberland beat Lancashire 3-2 with Judith and Amelia winning in their foursomes match 2&1, and Charlotte (3&2) and Zara (2up) winning their singles matches.
Having beaten two of the favourites on day one, day two began with a 3.5-1.5 win over Cumbria – Judith and Amelia going three for three in the foursomes with a 3&1 victory, as Charlotte (3&2) and Zara (8&7) kept their unbeaten run going in the singles, and Rebecca earned a half point in her singles match.
Facing Durham in the afternoon, Samantha teamed up with Antonia to earn a foursomes point with a 3&1 win, while Rebecca (7&6) and Charlotte (5&4) had impressive results in the singles to complete a 3-2 win in the North East derby.
On the final day, with Lancashire still able to win the title, Northumberland produced a dominant display to beat Cheshire 4-1 – Samantha and Antonia winning their foursomes match 6&5 while Charlotte (6&5), Zara (2&1) and Rebecca (2&1) swept the singles to complete an unbeaten run to the northern title.
Northumberland will go on to represent the north in the English Women’s County Finals at Selby Golf Club on September 19-21. The event is contested by the six winners from the regional groups (north, midland north, midland south, east, south, and south west) and follows the same format with five rounds of matches over three days consisting of two foursomes and three singles played concurrently.
Julie SampsonNorthumberland Ladies County Golf Association captain Julie Sampson reflects on a remarkable three days at Hessle
Arriving at Hessle Golf Club on Sunday morning, well ahead of our practice round later that day, the Northumberland team and everyone around them were in great spirits and ready for the challenge ahead.
We arrived with a strong team, of course, but we’d also put the work in – together – throughout the winter and prepared thoroughly. Every Tuesday evening had become team night – alternating between fun, interactive sessions at The Newcastle Golf Studio thanks to Mark McNulty and strength and conditioning sessions with the fantastic Angus Smith at Elevate Performance Studio.
Our motto throughout was simple – we come as a team and we go home as a team regardless of who wins or loses.
During the practice round, I was impressed by the team’s discipline and the high standard of play. After some final preparations and some sleep, Monday started early. On the first tee, the squad looked the part in their new adidas kit – and we can’t thank Troo and Paul Davison enough for their support with this.
The professionalism and potential of our side would be tested on the first day, with matches against two of the pre-tournament favourites – hosts Yorkshire and then Lancashire.
A convincing victory over Yorkshire boosted our confidence enormously. That afternoon, after a hard-fought match, we beat Lancashire 3-2. With those wins in the bag, against two formidable teams, the event was in our hands.
On Tuesday, we faced our local friends and rivals – Cumbria and Durham. Despite our enduring friendships with both counties, our team was focused and delivered exceptional performances once again. While every one of our players showed so much skill and determination to win, not only for themselves but for our team, I’ll admit I was a nervous wreck throughout most of the first two days!
Having given ourselves a commanding position, and knowing a victory on the final day meant Lancashire couldn’t catch us, we gathered at the Toby Carvery for well-earned meal. Together, we reflected on the day’s play and I announced the team selections. Despite any nerves or questions, I stuck to the gameplan I’d set out weeks in advance and I knew the team were in a place to perform well again.
The unity and mutual support on show on the course and around the table each evening were remarkable. Players accepted my gameplan and their positions in it without question. Having worked in big teams throughout my career, I can confidently say this was the best example of teamwork I have ever seen.
The final day, Wednesday, was filled with excitement and nervous anticipation. We hadn’t won one of these in 40 years and the team knew their destiny was in their own hands.
The moment each of our players set foot on the tee box to face their opponents from Cheshire, their composure and professionalism set in. The team, well balanced with a mixture of youth and experience, showed incredible composure. Their belief in themselves – and one another – created a momentum that was almost tangible.
Having lived through every shot and every tense moment, and watched some incredible golf, the moment we had all worked for finally arrived – we had won!
With victory secured, one match remained on the course – featuring our county champion and the most experienced Match Week player in the side, Rebecca Ferguson. While she knew we had sealed victory, she finished her match off in fabulous style – holing a 90ft birdie putt to win. I’m sure she will never forget that putt.
I’m also sure all of us will remember the euphoric celebrations for the rest of our lives. We sang, we drank nosecco, and we danced down the fairway together.
Digesting an experience like this within a few minutes is impossible, but the team summed up their feelings in single words – teamwork, inspirational, emotional – and the players’ love for the event was universal.
Being presented with a trophy Northumberland hadn’t held for 40 years – in front of our players, sponsors, supporters, and president Audrey Pattison (who won the trophy in 1973 and went on to win the national final with her teammates) – was an incredibly proud moment.
Our next adventure together will be the English Women’s County Finals at Selby Golf Club on September 19-21. The players are in extremely high spirits and they are ready to give it their all once again.
My personal thanks go to vice-captain Helen McChlery, president Audrey Pattison, past captain Jane Henderson, my invaluable team manager Angie Rumney, and of course our team – Rebecca Ferguson (Tynemouth), Charlotte Naughton (Longhirst Hall), Zara Naughton (Longhirst Hall), Jude Moore (City of Newcastle), Amelia Temperley (Morpeth), Antonia Emmerson (The Northumberland), Samantha Allen (Burgham Park), Louisa Hamilton (Ponteland) and June Lomax (Hexham).
