England's Bev New wins British senior championship 
16th September 2010

Bev New (Image: Calcarson Golf Agency)

England's Bev New (pictured) tamed the winds at West Kilbride, Scotland, to win the British senior championship at her first attempt.

Bev, who has just turned 50, shot the low round  of the championship today, 73, to snatch a one-stroke victory from Ireland's Pat Doran.

It's the latest in a long list of honours for Bev, from Lansdown, Somerset. She was a Curtis Cup player and English champion before embarking on a professional career which brought her wins in four countries. She returned to amateur ranks in 2001.

Bev described her victory as: "Fantastic. Everything in my game just fell into place in the final day, the driving, the approach shots, the putting. It all came together to help me put together a 73."

Bev had shared the lead after the first round but dropped back to share fifth place after 36 holes.

She revealed that she travelled to Scotland with little expectation and was genuinely surprised at how well she had done. She described the weather over the three days as the worst she had ever played in - but despite that she enjoyed the week tremendously.

Bev, who is a past England captain, now runs a coffee shop at Burnham on Sea. She remarked: "I don't know if this victory will make me go out and play more golf ... I just don't have the time. Maybe it will. I'll certainly defend the title in Northern Ireland next year."

She had scores of  78, 84 and 73 for 19-over par 235 - which reflects the tough, windy conditions which challenged and buffeted competitors throughout the three days of the championship.

Bev's final round of one-over par 73 was brilliantly compiled in winds of over 20 mph and included four birdies. She got a three at the par-four sixth, a two at the short ninth, a three at the 11th and a vital three at the last which avoided a play-off.

England's Roz Adams tied sixth and won the 55-59 age category, while fellow international Felicity Christine and English senior champion Caroline Marron were eighth.  

Leading final scores
Par 216 (3x72) CSS 77 77 75
235 Bev New (Lansdown) 78 84 73.
236 Pat Doran (Donabate) 81 81 74.
238 Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen) 81 80 77, Maureen Richmond (Royal Liverpool) 78 80 81.
240 Helen Jones (Strabane) 80 79 81.
241 Rozalyn Adams (Addington Court) 83 80 78, Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) 84 79 78.
242 Felicity Chrstine (Banstead Downs) 83 85 74, Caroline Marron (Bromborough) 82 77 83.
243 Sandy Woodruff (US) 84 81 78, Susan Dye (Delamere Forest) 85 80 78, Sheena McElroy (Grange) 81 82 80.
244 Ruth Lindley (Hartlepool) 81 86 77, Heather Anderson (Blairgowrie) 83 81 80, Jo Ashmore (Barnham Broom) 85 78 81, Helene Maxe (Swe) 88 75 81, Janet Melville (Sherwood Forest) 81 81 82.

Full details: www.lgu.org

Image: Calcarson Golf Agency