Charley Hull – winner of the first Rose Ladies Series event at Brokenhurst Manor – got to play with Somerset’s Mimi Rhodes, one of England’s top young talents. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

MIMI Rhodes made a spectacular first impression on LPGA and Solheim Cup star Charley Hull at the opening event of the Rose Ladies Series.

The 18-year England women’s squad player’S booming drive found the green at the 308-yard, first hole at Brokenhurst Manor.

Rhodes’ eagle putt from 25 feet then struck the flag – but agonisingly hopped back out the hole to leave the Somerset ace with a tap-in birdie.

No wonder Hull had a broad grin on her face. Her own aggressive style of play as an amateur was a portent of things to come on the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA where the Woburn golfer now plays.

Yet if Rhodes made a positive early impact on Hull – she also birdied the second hole to take the early tournament lead – it was nothing compared to the lasting impression the woman ranked 25th in the world made on the young England international.

Hull went on to win the event after making birdie at the first play-off hole.

The former Kettering junior pipped tournament organiser Liz Young on her home course – after the duo finished the regulation 18 holes tied with level-par 70s.

Twenty-four-year-old Hull received the trophy and a £5,000 cheque from Kate Rose, wife of England Golf ambassador Justin, on Thursday.

The couple agreed to sponsor the event, initially, before turning Young’s idea into an eight-round series over the next two months.

Rhodes was watching her every step of the way – eager to pick up any bits of advice and insight to help with her own progress in the game.

Rhodes, who played in the Junior Solheim Cup against the USA at Gleneagles, in September, was not disgraced shooting a five-over par 75 on a very tough set-up.

Mimi Rhodes – winner of the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship – at Quinta do Lago Golf Club in November. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Seventh heaven for Rhodes sisters

THE winner of last year’s Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Championship finished in a tie for seventh place in the inaugural Rose Ladies Series event in the New Forest.

As one of only three amateurs in the field of 47 players at the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open, her finish was highly creditable.

And she had sister Patience – who also qualified for the 2019 Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Championship finals – on the bag.

Rhodes admitted watching Hull at close proximity for 18 holes was the major positive she will take from the day.

“I desperately wanted to play well in front of Charley. My sister was on the bag and telling me to calm down,” joked Rhodes, a member at Burnham and Berrow GC.

“At the first hole I was really nervous. But I guess there was a bit of adrenaline too.

“In practice my drive at the first was close to the green.

“Then in the event I had 310 yards to the front and I boomed one – and it finished pin high.

“It was a bit awkward with players still on the green.

“My putt was from 25 feet. It hit the pin and was knocked out. Charley was laughing. The birdie settled me down.

“I had watched Charley play at the Solheim Cup last year, but never met her.

“She was obviously concentrating on her own game. But when we were walking between shots she was really friendly and the conversation felt really normal and that helped me settle.

“I was watching her play really intently. I was also listening to how her and her caddie made decisions during the round.

“My sister could have learned a lot.”

Big year ahead for America-bound Mimi

Mimi Rhodes and her sister Patience at the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

THE England international – who is bound for the USA in the autumn – is confident her first pro event will be a huge benefit in the coming months.

“I always wondered how my game would compare to these players, and playing with Charley helped me realise a few things.

“It has given me confidence that I have enough distance in my game to keep up – but the big area of difference is the short game.

“It really opened my eyes to where I need to get to in the future.

“I tightened up around the green and had five putts of around 10 feet for birdie that I didn’t take,” said Mimi.

”So I can take a lot from the experience.

“It was really good that Justin sponsored the event to give women professionals and amateurs the chance to compete in such a great event.

“For him to take such an interest in the women’s game is a real positive for our sport.

“I had time to meet his wife Kate and thank her for their support, which we all truly appreciate.”

Mimi offered golf scholarship place in North Carolina

MIMI Rhodes has decisions to make about what direction her season will now take during the summer.

She has options to play a couple more events in England – or head to America for the US Amateur.

Whatever route the England Women’s squad member takes, it does appear that her career is following an upward trajectory as she prepares for a move to America to play college golf.

Rhodes revealed: “I’m going to Wake Forest in North Carolina at the end of August. I’m really looking forward to combining studies with golf.

“It’s an exciting time. Hopefully I can make progress toward my goal of eventually becoming a professional.”

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Woburn’s Charley Hull tied with Brokenhurst Women’s Open founder Liz Young – but won the play-off to become the first Rose Ladies Series winner. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

CHARLEY Hull won the first Rose Ladies Series Event in some style.

The Woburn ace defeated Hampshire heroine Liz Young with a birdie on the first extra hole at Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club, in the New Forest.

Spectators weren’t allowed inside the venue due to government social distancing guidelines.

But they would have been treated to a fantastic tournament and a thrilling finale which went to a play-off.

Both players carded level par rounds of 70 in overcast and windy conditions.

Young, who organised the event at her home club, played in the first group out and set the clubhouse target.

But she waited for three-and-a-half hours before Hull matched her score.

World No. 25 Hull was two strokes clear with two holes to play and looked to have the £5,000 winner’s cheque tucked in her back pocket.

But the Solheim Cup winner double bogeyed the par-four 17^th hole, after hitting a rescue wood off-line right into a ditch from the tee.

She had a chance to birdie the 18^th to win in regulation play but missed the putt on the hole.

The 18th is driveable when the county’s leading amateur players contest the Mike Smith Memorial Open, which was won by Hampshire junior Justin Rose, back in 1996.

After pitching on to the green, Hull took her chance at the first extra hole, rolling in a similar putt from 12 feet beyond the hole.

Charley Hull, from Woburn, receives her £5,000 cheque and a rose bowl from joint sponsor Kate Rose, wife of reigning Olympic Golf champion Justin. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Charley’s been to Hull and back getting ready for return of LPGA

THE new champion was presented with a rose bowl and winner’s cheque for £5,000 by Kate Rose, wife of PGA Tour star Justin, who together, reportedly sponsored the series to the tune of £35,000.

That sum was believed to have been matched by sponsors American Golf enabling the Brokenhurst event to be rolled out into a series of eight tournaments in the next two months.

Hull hadn’t played a competitive round in almost five months – in fact since the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, in Florida, in January.

Charley said: “I’m just so happy to be playing professional golf again and have a scorecard in my hand.

“The golf course was in great condition and it was my first time round here today.

“I was quite happy with my score. I doubled the 17^th because I  took a wrong line off the tee. But it was just great to be playing.

“I’ve missed it loads. I love playing golf. I’m pretty much golfed out because I’ve been playing every day. But I can’t wait to get back out on tour.

“I want to thank Justin and Kate Rose for putting these events on.

“You need to be playing to get back in the mindset. I’ve been playing a lot for the last few weeks and I played eight days on the trot.

“But it’s not the same as having a scorecard in your hand. I’ll go back to America in four weeks’ time, so hopefully this will get my brain back into tournament golf.”

Hull said she had never seen the course before but described the Harry Colt classic as a “hidden gem.”

Ex-amateur champs: Play-off rivals

HULL and Young – who was Liz Bennett as an amateur – are both past English Women’s Amateur Champions.

Young, the World No. 503, was pleased with finishing second, especially as she hadn’t played a competitive round in more than six months.

“I was excited and really nervous,” said Young, who last played at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open in December.

“It has been a long time since a card was in the hand. I was playing on my own course, so had the home advantage.

“But I also know where all the trouble is. I was really happy with how I played and level par, because it was playing tough out there.

“I was playing well in practise and I just hadn’t put much time in on the course.

“It’s all coming together and I’m just excited that I’ve got another seven tournaments in which to play.

“This is the start of something great for UK golf and hopefully this will continue.”

Essex’s Gabriella Cowley finished third on 71, with Hertfordshire’s Hannah Burke in fourth a further shot back.

Holly Calvert and Berkhamsted’s Alice Hewson – who won the Investec South African Women’s Open champion on her first start as a Ladies European Tour rookie – tied for fifth.

Liz Young with her husband and caddy Jon having seen the dream of creating the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open to help LET players get back into tournament golf.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Wentworth to stage final round of Grand Final

THERE will be a Rose Ladies Series Event played on Thursday each week, in June and July, leading up to the Grand Final on August 6-7.

The opening round will be played at The Berkshire, in Ascot, with the final round to be hosted on the famous West Course at Wentworth.

With Justin Rose’s management team Excel Sports teaming up with Young to put on the series, the England Golf ambassador was able to invite three of the country’s leading amateurs to play.

ROSE LADIES SERIES
June 25: Moor Park Golf Club
July 2: Buckinghamshire Golf Club
9: Royal St George’s Golf Club
16: JCB Golf and Country Club
23: Bearwood Lakes
30: The Shire, London
GRAND FINAL
August 6: The Berkshire Golf Club
7: Wentworth Golf Club (West Course)

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Ferndown’s Hayley Davis can’t wait to get started playing again – the 2019 LET Access winner will tee it up in the Rose Ladies Series at Brokenhurst Manor GC, on Thursday.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

DORSET’S Hayley Davis could not wait for the Rose Ladies Series to get under way today at Brokenhurst Manor.

Davis described the one-day tournaments for women professionals in the UK as “everything” as she prepared to make her return to competitive golf at the New Forest club.

Hayley is poised to tee it up in the first of seven rounds over the next month – plus the recently announced Tour Championship final at Wentworth.

Also in the field are Solheim Cup stars Charley Hull, from Woburn, and recent rookie winner Alice Hewson, from Hertfordshire, who won her first start on the LET in South Africa, in March.

The series has been sponsored by Hampshire’s US Open winner and Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose and his wife Kate.

Ferndown’s Davis earned her place on the Ladies European Tour for 2020, after winning the LET Access Series Order of Merit crown last year.

But with the LET schedule wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic, the 27-year-old is champing at the bit for a chance to compete in the newly-formed UK series.

Asked what Rose’s sponsorship meant for the women’s game, Davis said: “It’s everything. Just that the men understand how it is for the women – and the fact he wanted to do it – means a lot.

“For us, we do just want the chance to go out there and compete again.

“So, the fact we have been given the opportunity, it’s just exciting and amazing that he wanted to do it. It was really good.

“At the end of the day, we are all sports people. We all just want the opportunity to compete.

“There’s a lot of people behind it that want women to have the recognition, because it’s quite big that we are starting to compete before a lot of other sports have been able to.

“It’s just really nice that he wants to do it and understands that we need the opportunity.”

Justin Rose after winning the Gold Medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Picture by CHRIS CONDON / International Golf Federation

Rose: I had to help women’s game

FORMER World No. 1 Rose, who grew up playing junior golf for Hampshire, was determined to give the women’s game a lift.

Just days after missing out on a play-off at Colonial by a ball’s width with his final putt of the tournament in Texas, the new series bearing his name tees off in Hampshire.

Justin, who watched Florida’s Daniel Berger beat Colin Morikawa in a play–off in the first PGA Tour event in three months on Sunday, said: “I am keenly aware that I now have the opportunity to go back to work and compete on the PGA Tour.

“But this is not the same for the ladies and some junior tours as well.

“To me this seems somewhat unfair. My wife Kate and I felt there was an opportunity to step up and help.

“We wanted to give them the opportunity to play and to be ready for when the opportunities arise later in the summer.”

Last year’s LET Access Series winner Hayley Davis had to wait patiently for starts on the tour in 2020 – only for the COVID-19 crisis to interrupt her season. Picture by MANON GUENOT

Davis and Young to tee off in first group

HAYLEY Davis is set to tee off in the opening group at 10.30am alongside Brokenhurst professional Liz Young.

The LET ace came up with the idea of the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open earlier this month – before Rose offered to back a whole series of events as the idea snowballed.

“I am just really excited to be able to go and do it again because it’s been a long break,” Davis said.

“I know it’s been the same for everyone but just to have the chance to play again, when we didn’t really know when we would get the chance to play next, it’s really good.

“Nobody really knew how long it was going to go on for,” added Davis, referring to COVID-19 lockdown.

“That was probably the hardest thing – just to keep yourself motivated, keep going practice-wise and stuff.

“You had to get the net in the garden and try to keep in the swing of it as much as you could – and just wait to find out when we could get back to it.

“It will be really good to have a chance to compete once a week. It will make us more ready to go, hopefully when we do finally get started,” talking about the LET’s return.

The visit to Brokenhurst will also mark a trip down memory lane for the former Dorset Ladies Champion, who turned pro in 2015.

The Baylor University graduate said: “I went to college there for two years a while ago now. So I got to play there a lot. It’s really nice that the first one is close to home.

“I haven’t played there for about nine years I think, so it will be good to go back there.”

Davis and Young share amateur glories

Liz Young who has organised the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

HAYLEY Davis shares something in common with Liz Young – they have both won the English Ladies Amateur Strokeplay title.

Davis picked up the trophy at Tandridge in Surrey, in 2014 – eight years after Young – as Liz Bennett – claimed victory at Birmingham’s Little Aston.

Charley Hull is another former English Strokeplay winner in the field, having won at Alwoodley, in Leeds, in 2011.

Davis also won the English Girls title in 2011 at Ellesborough, before becoming just the sixth player ever to also win the English Women’s Amateur title, following the likes of Claire Waite, Diane Oxley adn Rebecca Hudson.

Rose is another with links to the classic Harry Colt course in the New Forest.

A then teenage member at North Hants GC won the Mike Smith Memorial Trophy in 1996.

In the process, he set the course record at Brokenhurst Manor – the year he helped Hampshire win the English County Championship for the first time.

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Lottie Woad is one of three amateurs to get an invite to the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open – the first of the new Rose Ladies Series. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

SURREY Ladies Amateur Champion Lottie Woad says it will be a thrill to kick-start her 2020 season competing alongside many of her golf idols in the first event of the Rose Ladies Series.

The England Girls’ squad player is one of three amateurs taking part in Thursday’s 18-hole professional event at the New Forest’s Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club.

England Golf ambassador Justin Rose and his wife Kate are sponsoring eight such events between now and August.

England women’s squad player Mimi Rhodes – winner of last year’s Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship in Portugal – has also been invited to the star-studded tournament.

Under 16 international Louise Burke, from Dorset, is the third England Golf representative in the field of 51 players.

It is the first post-lockdown event for players earning a living on the Ladies’ European Tour.

It’s an exciting return to action for the women’s game. Stars such as Woburn’s Charley Hull, Northamptonshire’s LET winner Meg Maclaren, and LET rookie Alice Hewson are heading to Hampshire.

Rose – the 2013 US Open winner and reigning Olympic champion – has sponsored the seven-event series and grand final with backing from retail outlet American Golf.

Lottie Woad (left) on England U16 duty last summer with Louise Burke (second from right), from Dorset, who is also in the field at Brokenhurst Manor

Woad working hard in her garden

WOAD has spent the past few months practising solidly in her garden at Her Farnham home.

And she is eagerly anticipating the day when she can return to competitive golf.

The fact that her comeback is in such a landmark event just makes the prospect even more exciting for the 16-year-old.

“It’s my first ever pro event and my first competition of the year,” said Woad, who became the youngest to land the Surrey crown, in April 2019, aged just 15

“I’ve not played an event since October when England took on Ireland at Hunstanton.

“I read on Twitter that these ladies’ events were starting up. I got in contact with the organiser – LET player Liz Young – to ask about amateurs being involved.

“Then Justin Rose came on board as a sponsor, and last Thursday I heard I was one of three amateur invites.

“It’s a brilliant way to start the season. I found out on Monday that I was paired with Meg MacLaren, which is really exciting.

“Meg was speaking to England players during an online session a few weeks ago. It was great fun and very helpful. So I’m looking forward to getting the chance to now play with her.”

Practice round will help Lottie with nerves

Lottie Woad has won both the Surrey Girls and Ladies titles

THERE may be some butterflies on the first tee for the England trio.

But Lottie Woad is just eager to get back on the course with a scorecard in her hand.

“I won’t overthink things and just try to play my own game – and not get caught up in the event itself,” added Woad, who will have dad Nick on the bag.

“I was down at Brokenhurst at the weekend to play a practice round. It’s less than an hour’s drive from where I live so really easy to get to.

“It’s a beautiful course and we even had a herd of deer join us on one of the holes.

“I feel my golf is in good shape as I’ve spent most of lockdown practising,” added Lottie, who won the Surrey Girls’ crown in 2018.

“My GCSE exams were cancelled, but fortunately I had good mocks to fall back on,” said Lottie, who added the Surrey Ladies’ title last spring.

“I was playing at Farnham Golf Club the first day golf was allowed back and birdied the first hole and shot two-under which was a good start.”

WOAD also made a splash on Twitter during lockdown with regular posts of her attempting a flop shot in her back garden.

Her exploits, picked up by the LET, Sky and The R&A, show off skills that Rose himself would be proud of.

“If I need to hit a flop shot then I should be ok,” joked Woad.

“I started hitting over a fence, then progressed to hit over a netball stand into a bowl.

“There’s no grass left in that bit of the garden now,” said Lottie.

The teenager shaved three years off the Surrey Ladies’ County Championship record once held by Dame Laura Davies.

The most successful British player in LET history is also down to play at Brokenhurst Manor.

After the Brokenhurst Manor event, the series moves to the following venues:–
June 25: Moor Park Golf Club
July 2: Buckinghamshire Golf Club
9: Royal St George’s Golf Club
16: JCB Golf and Country Club
23: Bearwood Lakes
30: The Shire, London
GRAND FINAL
August 6: The Berkshire Golf Club
7: Wentworth Golf Club (West Course)

Sky Sports will provide TV coverage – check England Golf on Twitter for updates of Lottie’s progress.

Justin Rose – the 2013 US Open winner and the 2016 Olympic Champion – who has sponsored the series of women’s events in the UK with his wife Kate

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Justin Rose and his wife Kate (left) have agreed to sponsor six UK events for women professionals, starting in June, at Brokenhurst Manor. Picture by WARREN LITTLE / IGF

JUSTIN Rose and his wife Kate are to sponsor the Rose Ladies Series of women’s golf tournaments in the UK – culminating in a two-day final.

The Roses decided to put up £35,0000 to sponsor the one-day events in June and July after reading about fellow Hampshire-based professional Liz Young’s efforts to put on a competition at her home club in the New Forest.

Young – who was English Women’s Amateur Strokeplay Champion in 2006 – came up with her idea to enable players to stay competitive, ahead of the LET’s return to golf.

She appealed for sponsors to help with her day at Brokenhurst Manor, where her amateur career blossomed.

She got to play with Nick Faldo in the USA and made her Curtis Cup debut at St Andrews Old Course.

And Rose, who came through the same junior ranks in Hampshire as Liz a decade earlier, not only backed the Brokenhurst event.

He also supported the formation of a mini-tour in England over the next two months including a visit to Royal St George’s in Kent.

Officially known as the Rose Ladies Series, the schedule includes:–
June
18 – Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club
25 – Moor Park Golf Club
July
2 – Buckinghamshire Golf Club
9 – Royal St George’s
16 – JCB Golf & Country Club
23 – Bearwood Lakes Golf Club
30/31 – Final TBC

Among the players who have commited to playing at Brokenhurst are Dorset’s Major winner Georgia Hall and LET winners Meghan MacLaren and Annabel Dimmock, from Wentworth.

“I can’t thank Justin and Kate enough for coming onboard, creating opportunities and increasing the visibility for professional women golfers.

“I would also like to thank the Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club members.

“Their encouragement and support has been amazing from the start.

“And I’m sure that with the news of Justin and Kate being involved, they will be as excited as I am.

“It makes me so proud to be a member of BMGC.”

Jason: ‘Time to give something back’

Liz, who played Stacy Lewis in the singles at the 2008 Curtis Cup against the USA, said: “This all started with an idea that myself and our head pro Jason McNiven had.

“We went to the club with it and we had great support from them.

“We had a vision from the start – get women competing again, increase the profile and visibility of women’s professional golf and inspire the next generation.

“Hopefully, the players would embrace the chance to play, see that it could be done and maybe take it to their clubs.

“Thanks to Justin, Kate and his team, our dream has come true… in a week!”

Jason added: “It was a simple idea and concept – play for your own money and you get to enjoy competing again.

“We are delighted to have help from Justin and Kate, as they can grow the series, which is what we initially wanted to do.

“We want to inspire the next generation. And hopefully if this is an annual event, then kids can walk the fairways with their heroes.

“It is my duty to help the girls, it is time for me to put back into the sport and help the women, so it’s the right thing to do.

“Liz and I flew the kite and it has officially taken off.”

Liz Young who has organised the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Club ‘delighted’ to support Rose series

Club manager Kevin Light said: “Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club is delighted to host the first event of the upcoming Rose Ladies Series.

“Knowing that Liz had spoken about the LET schedule being the strongest in a number of years – only for coronavirus to hit – we were only too happy to step in.”

Rose was inspired to help by the lack of golf facing the LET players this summer as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Justin felt it was unfair that he will return to action on the PGA tour with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, in Texas, on Thursday – two months before his female counterparts are able to do so.

Rose, who won the Mike Smith Memorial Trophy in 1996 – setting the course record at Brokenhurst Manor in the process – said: “Professional sports people are not machines – we cannot just power on and go.

“We have to nurture our skills in order to rely on them when needed – usually under pressure.

“My wife and I felt it was an opportunity for us to help where we can,” said Rose, the 2013 US Open Champion – and gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“We are therefore delighted to say that we will be supporting a mini-series for ladies to take place in June and July.

“This will comprise a number of one-day events at some of the top courses in England.

Justin Rose came through the same junior ranks in Hampshire as Liz Young

Justin: ‘Sky have agreed to televise Rose Ladies Series’

“The prize money will be modest, but we hope the series will give our talented lady golfers the opportunity to showcase their skills.

“Sky TV have agreed to provide a package for viewers and the Sunday Telegraph will ensure the events are well-reported.

“Needless to say, Kate and I are immensely grateful to the host clubs for making their courses available to us, and for the enthusiastic support of all those behind the scenes who make the tournaments run smoothly.

“Golf is a sport that is able to be played while socially distancing.

“And hopefully the TV coverage of the ladies competing can inspire more women and families in England to go out and play.

“It can be so beneficial for mental health to be out in the fresh air and get some space, especially in these challenging times.

“In particular, we are also grateful for the support and encouragement of the more established lady professional golfers for supporting this event.

“Through their participation they will encourage support for their sport and show the flame for ladies’ golf will not be easily extinguished.

“Golf has given me so much. As most of my followers know, I had my struggles early in my career, but at least I did not have to face a pandemic.

“I was still able to play. To be denied the opportunity to work or to play for months on end is very challenging, both physically and mentally.

“And that is why Kate and I feel it is so important that we want to try to do something about it.”

The LET is supporting the Rose Ladies Series and thanked Justin and Kate Rose for their incredibly generous support of women’s golf.

Rose with his support team at the 2016 Olympics. Picture by WARREN LITTLE / IGF

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LEFT TO RIGHT: City of Newcastle’s Phil Riddle Alex Nixon and Andrew Minnikin who won the Albacom Trophy to be crowned European Club Champions at Bordeaux’s Golf du Medoc. Picture by EUROPEAN GOLF ASSOCIATION

CITY of Newcastle GC were crowned European Club Champions after a stunning fightback saw them defeat rivals from 24 other nations to win the Albacom Trophy at the finals in France.

England’s representatives from Northumberland started the day six shots adrift of Germany’s Stuttgarter GC at the Golf du Medoc resort near Bordeaux, as the cream of the continent battled for the European Men’s Club Trophy.

With two-out-of-three scores counting towards the team total, a pair of level par rounds from Alex Dixon and Andrew Minnikin left City of Newcastle in among the pack and requiring some final day fireworks.

Dixon duly obliged with a brilliant five-under par round of 66 and – allied with a one under par round of 70 from Phil Ridden – it allowed the English champions to add European glory to the national title won in some style last month, at Romford GC, in Essex.

A team total of six-under par for the two-day tournament was enough to leave all their rivals in the shade. Icelandic team GKG finished four shots adrift in second place.

Dixon’s final round included five birdies on the front nine and also helped him finish second in the individual event just a shot behind Frenchman Raphael Le Bot.

The three-man City of Newcastle team – all of whom have plus-three handicaps – stopped a winning run from home favourites Racing Club de France La Boulie, who entered the 45^th staging of the event looking to win their fourth title in five years.

The “Geordie boys” have made City of Newcastle just the third English club to be crowned European Champions since 1975.

Haway the Lads! City of Newcastle England Champions

And they are the first winners since Ealing carried off back-to-back wins in 1990, at Alhoa – the Middlesex club’s win came at the Spanish club, which hosted the Albacom Trophy for the whole of the ’80s.

Twelve months earlier, the Brokenhurst Manor team including Nigel Graves, teenage prodigy Mike Smith and current Hampshire Golf secretary David Wheeler became the first English club to land the title.

Irish champions Galway finished 11th while Welsh chamions Mountain Ash were 17th out of the 25 European golf federations represented. Scotland did not enter a team.

Ireland’s Shandon Park won the event twice in the 21st Century after back to back wins in 2000 and 2001 while Scotland’s only win came at Vilamoura in 1994 when Kilmarncock were crowned European Champions.

•To see the full results from the 2019 European Men’s Club Trophy click here.

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Welllingboro’s Meghan MacLaren shared the first round lead in the Hero Women’s Indian Open, at Delhi’s DLF Golf and Country Club. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

WELLINGBORO’S Meghan MacLaren and Australian Whitney Hillier fired a pair of 67s to share the lead after a scorching opening round at the Hero Women’s Indian Open, as temperatures reached 35 degrees Centigrade, in Gurugram.

MacLaren was the first woman to post her total on the challenging Gary Player Course at DLF Golf and Country Club.

Starting at the 10^th tee at 6.45am, McClaren went out with four birdies in 32, before playing the front nine in 35, mixing four birdies with three bogeys.

Hillier, who started 10 minutes later, joined MacLaren at the summit after a bogey-free 67. She played the back nine in 34 and came in with 33 on the front nine.

MacLaren missed last year’s Indian Open – sponsored by the motorbike manufacturer, but tied for ninth in the 2017 event and feels it suits her strategic game.

The 25-year-old said afterwards: “I made a lot of birdies out there and felt really comfortable.

“I thought I was going to have a pretty low score but did a couple of stupid things. I can’t complain with where I am after round one.

“Conditions were perfect, actually. It’s not nice getting up at 4am or whatever.

“But whenever you’re first out and you’ve got an empty course in front of you, and really, really pure greens at that time of day, before it got sort of burning hot, it was nice and it was nice to take advantage of that, because it’s getting stickier and sticker.

MacLaren successfully defended the NSW Open title in March and recorded three additional top 10 finishes earlier this season, including second place in the Jordan Mixed Open and third in the Jabra Ladies Open.

The Golf Foundation Ambassador sits sixth on the order of merit and has the chance to top the ranking with a win on Sunday.

She added: “Today was only the first round and I got a little bit edgy and a little bit of butterflies, but I’ve missed that feeling.

“I haven’t had that for a while and when you’re in that situation, it’s not always nice – but it’s where you want to be.

“The alternative is that you’ve missed the cut or you’ve made the cut but you’re not playing for anything anymore, and it’s hard to bring out your best golf in those situations.

“I think it pushes you on and reminds you of why you do it,” added MacLaren

Hillier, meanwhile, is also in a rich vein of form and looking for her first tour win.

The 28-year-old from Perth, Australia, started with a bogey on the 10th having pulled her tee shot as a result of being slightly distracted by leaving her refillable water bottle in the washroom.

But she bounced back with three birdies in a row from the second. She then carded three birdies on the front nine, at the first, sixth and ninth holes to join MacLaren in a share of the lead.

Hillier said: “I made six birdies and I bogeyed the first hole, so I actually got that back pretty quickly. Overall I’m really happy with my performance. I hit my irons well and gave myself lots of birdie chances.

“The course is looking great, as well. Last time I was here it was 2015 and it has changed a lot since then.

“It is very, very impressive. It’s a beautiful golf course and one of the best in the world, I think.”

Norwegian Marianne Skarpnord and Hampshire’s Liz Young both played in the heat of the afternoon and are positioned just one stroke back on four-under, with Sweden’s Linda Wessberg in fifth on three-under.

Skarpnord, a winner at the Pacific Bay Australian Ladies Classic in February, needs to finish in the top three in India to lead the LET Order of Merit.

Skarpnord said: “I am pretty happy with my round. I played well on the front nine but didn’t make as many putts on the back nine.

“And then I finished up with a great three-putt, so my mood is not the best, but overall I’m happy with four-under.”

Brokenhurst Manor’s Liz Young during the first round. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Young is looking for her maiden tournament victory and has an excellent record in the Hero Women’s Indian Open.

The Brokenhurst Manor pro ended in fifth place in 2015 and has never finished outside the top 30 in six appearances so far.

Young said: “I hit it well. The last two weeks I’ve been playing well, but I haven’t putted well and I haven’t managed any less than 32 putts in a round.

“I have a local caddie here called Suresh and he’s always caddied for me. He does such a good job on the greens and I managed to get 28 putts today.

“I managed to put everything together– the long game and the short game.

“I do enjoy playing here because it’s a challenge. You have to think about every shot and there’s no let-up,” said the former Faldo Series winner, in a week when Rory McIlroy caused a storm by daring to suggest the European Tour’s courses were not set up as hard as they should be.

Young, who took time off to have a baby after marrying fellow Brokenhurst member Jon, and who both played for Hampshire as amateurs, added, “It’s a really good test of golf.

“And even when you’re on the greens, they are not easy, so it’s a challenging and demanding golf course.”

The shot of the day belonged to Jyotsana Singh, a rookie professional on the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour in India, who aced the 16^th hole using her seven-iron.

•For live scoring in the Hero Women’s Indian Open click here.

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