Jan's new record quickly wiped out
AFTER a magnificent round of 68, Guernsey's Jan Chamberlain has not only beaten her previous La Grande Mare course record by four shots, but has remarkably played herself right back into medal contention after a first day 83.
AFTER a magnificent round of 68, Guernsey's Jan Chamberlain has not only beaten her previous La Grande Mare course record by four shots, but has remarkably played herself right back into medal contention after a first day 83. Although Chamberlain held the new course record for less than an hour, that did not wipe the smile off the island champion's face.
'I'm absolutely delighted, so happy,' said Chamberlain, who had started her round with a bogey at the first.
After registering a double bogey at the fourth, Chamberlain could have been forgiven for believing that she was heading on a downward spiral once again.
But that was not to be, as a birdie at the extended par-three sixth steadied the ship and set up a front nine of 36 strokes.
After a birdie at the 12th hole, Chamberlain was one of only eight women to par the long final hole and a level-par back nine was her reward, giving her renewed hope of claiming a medal.
Veronica Bougourd was looking like matching Chamberlain's efforts, having got her round back on track with fine birdies at the 12th and 14th holes.
She again looked in good shape when lying perfectly in the centre of the 15th fairway.
Bougourd stroked a perfect nine iron towards the flag, hitting the stick halfway up and landing just outside eight feet away.
Sadly, the ensuing birdied putt just missed on the high side and her disappointment was compounded by an eight at the last.
Nonetheless, the former Island champion lies fourth overall and is ready to pounce as the competition moves to her home course for the final two rounds.
Gill Burford was a model of consistency and following her first round 75 the Royal Lady Captain, came in with a 74 and will be one of the last players to tee-off as she mounts a challenge on the final day's play.
With the Guernsey women lying second in the team event, eight shots adrift of Aland and four ahead of the Isle of the Wight, Julie Creed is in need of a good round today.
After an outstanding two days at La Grande Mare, Steve Turvey's island men's team find themselves in provisional gold medal position as they head to much more familiar territory of the L'Ancresse links.
Brothers Andy and Bobby Eggo both carded one-under-par rounds of 63, with Andy improving on his opening round by nine shots to jump up the leaderboard.
After finding his tee shot at the first halfway up a staked tree, Bobby Eggo went on to birdie the first to kick-start his steady round which ended with only his second birdie of the day.
He now leads the way with Jersey's Christie Mclaughlin on a one over total of 129.
Steve Mahy praised the condition of the west coast course but despite his high green-in-regulation percentage he again found holing out on the consistent greens no easy task.
Eight shots separate the top 15 men, with all of the Guernsey representatives up there in contention.
