The Senior Women’s Golf Association Annual Jamboree between the best amateur players from Scotland, Northern Counties, Midlands, and South was hosted at Trentham Golf Club, 6-8^th August.  Players who have been County, British and Scottish champions, selected for European and Home Internationals and Curtis Cup took part in three days of foursomes and singles match play.  The Midlands team was Captained by Julie Brown who’s achievements in the name of golf include Ladies European Tour player 1985 – 1994, England Captain 2010/11/12, England schools team manager 2011 – 2016, County Captain 2007/2008, English Seniors Champion 2013, British Seniors Champion 2015, England Senior International 2013/14/15/16/17, Midland Seniors Champion 2018/2023, Midland Senior Team 2014 – 2023, MSWGA Captain 2024, selected a team consisting of Sophie Beardsall - Greetham Valley, Lincolnshire;  Sarah Cranton - Stourbridge, Worcestershire; Lisa Cullinan (nee Barton) – Rugby, Warwickshire; Helen Lowe – Scraptoft, Leicesterhire; Sally Shayler – Bedfordshire GC, Bedfordshire; Sally Sketcher – Trentham; Sue Spencer – Whittington Heath, Staffordshire and Tracey Williamson – Sherringham, Norfolk. (See full teams here)

On a bright, warm and sunny day the Midlands took on Scotland and the quality of senior women’s golf on display ensured closely fought foursomes matches on day 1 with many going to the 18^th.  After the morning foursomes with 2 games to 1 for Midlands v Scotland and 2½ to ½ for North v South, the singles afternoons matches were going to be interesting.  Midlands ended up drawing with Scotland and so did the North v South.  1 point each to Midlands and North on the overall points table. 

Day 2 weather was a few degrees cooler and windy with cloud all morning before the sun decided to show up.  Today saw Midlands take on the North with only one game being won in the morning foursomes which was Sally Sketcher and Sue Spencer beating Karen Jobling and Carol Helme 3&2.  But Helen Lowe and Tracey Williamson lost on the 18^th when a lucky shot from Sara Spencer rebounded off the clubhouse back on to the green and gave Caroline Berry a putt to win, and swung the result for the North.  After the afternoon singles where the closely contested matches resulted in the Midlands winning 3½ to 2½ the overall results for the day was a draw and ½ point awarded to each.  Scotland beat South 5 games to 4 earning themselves 1 point.  The overall results table after day 2 saw Midlands and North with 1½ pts each and 9½ v 10 games respectively.  Day 3 was going to be tense and all to play for, who could call who the victors would be.

Final day dawns with Midlands v South, and Scotland v North foursomes teeing off in drizzly rain and wind.  Midlands won 2 matches with Sally Sketcher and Sue Spencer again victorious against Debbie Richard and Katherine Russell. North won all 3 games against Scotland in close matches.  The singles kicked off with all to play for and results were being fed into the tournament office at the 10^th and 14^th holes to enable status to be posted on the notice boards.  All games could go either way and four out of the six Midlands games went to the 18^th.  With 3 games each in the end it was a 5 to 4 victory for the Midlands.  Scotland made a valiant effort in the singles matches against the North and won 3½ to 2½ but it meant victory for the North with them winning the day 5½ to 3½ games.

Finals standings after day 3 was the Midlands and the North with 2½ points each.  So, a look at the Rules Governing the Tournament was required to find out how it would be decided.  The rulings confirmed it was the number of games won to be counted and with 1 more game for the North with 15½ v 14½ games the Miller Stirling Salver was retained and the Midlands retained the Tony Moffat Quaich Trophy.   Oh, what that rebound off the clubhouse cost! 

All results can be seen on the Jamboree 2024 page - HERE.

Janet Melville - Captain of the winning North team	Presenting all of the teams!
Midlands Team		North Team
Scotland Team		South Team