Janet Collingham wins English seniors strokeplay

Janet is a past British champion but this was her first English title. It feels a bit weird because I ve never been able to win an English title until now but it feels good, she said. It s a been a bit elusive.

She claimed her title with a final round 79, which left her one clear of Ganton s Carolyn Kirk, who shot a best of the day 78.

Janet started the final round three shots adrift of 36-hole leader Rozalyn Adams (Addington Court.) But by the turn the Nottinghamshire player had made up the deficit and moved ahead.

She was helped by two birdies, on the 5th and 9th, while Roz lost confidence on the greens after a four-putt from 12ft on the 8th. It was just one of those days, said Roz. But Janet putted really solidly and made all the clutch putts.

Janet commented: I got off to a good start and then played really steadily. My putting was never really there but I seemed to hole them when I needed to.

This is Janet s first year as a senior and the 50-year-old from Sherwood Forest has shot straight to the top. After a top-class amateur career she played little competitive golf until last year, when she began to prepare for her seniors debut.

She has been working with Hollinwell professional Mike Bradley and Sherwood Forest pro Ken Hole and all their efforts have been rewarded.

She was in the last group contesting the championship and her score ended the victory hopes of clubhouse leader Carolyn Kirk. I had much more feel for the greens today and putted and chipped a lot better, said the Yorkshire golfer. 

Buckinghamshire s Sue McKeon won Division B by three shots after she returned the section s best round of the day with an 82.

I m affectionately known as steady Eddie, joked Sue, who was co-leader at the start of the final round. I have really enjoyed myself, the course was lovely and the greens were great.

Sue (Harleyford) was the losing finalist in the English seniors championship at Stoneham earlier this season.  

Championship leading scores:

241 Janet Collingham (Sherwood Forest) 81, 81, 79

242 Carolyn Kirk (Ganton) 77, 87, 78

244 Rozalyn Adams (Addington Court) 77, 82, 85

246 Christine Quinn (Hockley) 81, 85, 80; Christine Stirling (Meon Valley) 82, 81, 83.

247 Sue Dye (Delamere Foest) 83, 85, 79.

248 Jo Ashmore (Barnham Broom) 77, 87, 84; Geraldine Bray (Littlestone) 80, 82, 86

249 Ruth Lindley (Hartlepool) 84, 85 80.

Division B leading scores:

251 Sue McKeon (Harleyford) 84, 85, 82

254 Karen Lobb (Northants County) 86, 83, 85

258 Sue Pidgeon (Wrekin) 85, 90, 83; Judy McCairns (Oxford Ladies)  84, 87, 87

265 Carol Liversidge (Sandiway) 85, 91, 89; Sheila McKinnon (Royal Liverpool) 87, 88, 90

271 Jose Kellenberger (Camberley Heath) 84, 95 92

272 Jayne Long (Tidworth Garrison) 87, 90, 95

276 Sue Mayman (Bedale) 84, 93, 99.

Full scores: www.englishwomensgolf.org