Wendy ensures an LGM home success

HOME club player Wendy Meerveld scored 41 points to win yesterday's Rothschild La Grande Mare Ladies Open. She won by one point from Doreen Munroe, one of a large contingent of visiting players from the Royal Guernsey Ladies' Section.

Seventeen women from Jersey and four from the UK also made it over for a competition that attracted just short of 70 players.

But among the lower handicaps nobody could touch Meerveld.

The 15 handicap benefited from a particularly impressive front nine of 23 points. She managed to score two or three points on all but the fourth hole on the outward half, and she collected a further 18 on the inward half.

Island champion Kay Mapley was among the many visitors to the parkland course who did not find it easy.

Mapley failed to score on two of the first four holes and ultimately had to settle for a 27 total.

In contrast, Sue Falla came in with 42 to claim the long handicap prize.

The 34-handicap got off to a superb start with a par net eagle on the opening hole and a net birdie on the second. This was followed by another net eagle on the fifth and she managed to win the long handicap prize despite failing to score on two holes.

The best gross score of the day came from former La Grande Mare member and island champion, Jan Chamberlain.

Her 73 off a five handicap translated into 33 points.

Meanwhile, at the Royal Guernsey, it was President's Prize day for the male members. Craig Alexander topped the leaderboard with a net 64 off his 10 handicap, finishing one stroke clear of David Nicolle whose three-under 67 was the day's best gross score and a timely nudge towards the island selectors.