Making links with the past

WATCHING Justin Rose take Phil Mickelsen apart at the Ryder Cup inevitably got me thinking of the day he came to L'Ancresse and edged out Bobby Eggo in a serious friendly.

Just one hole was the difference, I seem to recall.

It also got me wondering what damage the likes of Rose might do to our links on a still late summer's day with the fairways running quick.

Sub 60 would not be out of the question.

Sadly, the chances of Guernsey hosting a professional men's tournament seem more remote than the island building a third 18-hole course, but 20 years ago this week many of the world's top women players were in town competing in the second James Capel (CI) Ltd Guernsey Open.

They included no less a women's golfing legend than Laura Davies and the defending champion from Australia, Corinne Dibnah. She had won the 1987 event by a massive 10 strokes but on this occasion was playing catch-up from day one when England's Kitrina Douglas, who later was to become a member of the European Solheim Cup team, shot a seven-under 65 to smash the women's course record.