Rowland wins Coronation Cup

DI ROWLAND and Elaine Ward produced good medal scores in the first stage of the Coronation Cup and went on to become the finalists in the match play second stage. Both played off their handicaps applicable at the start of the medal round - Ward 14 and Rowland 26. It meant that the latter received nine shots from her opponent.

Rowland got off to a good start by winning the first two holes, with a four at the first and a four net at the second.

Ward was then unable to capitalise on her opponent's three off the tee on the third hole which they halved.

Rowland went three up on the fourth hole, again making use of her stroke, but Ward came back into the game winning holes five, which was conceded, and six with a five.

Her game settled down and the next hole was halved but again the higher handicapper used her stroke to advantage winning the eighth with a net four to go two up.

But she then lost the ninth where Ward had a par and the latter continued to fight back, halving the 10th and winning 11 to get the match all-square.

Twelve and 13 were halved with four and five respectively and Ward went ahead for the first time in the match by winning the 14th after Rowland had great difficulty with the rough.

However, Ward's approach shot to 15 caught the bunker and despite an excellent shot out she was unable to retain her advantage.

Similarly her approach shot at 16 found sand and she was not successful in getting out and conceded the hole.

One down with two to play, her tee shot found deep rough on the right-hand side of the fairway, which took two attempts to get out of.

A superb wood shot followed landing on the green for four, but two putts were not good enough and Rowland took the hole and with it the match 2 and 1.