Report from Girls Team Manager Jennie Lewis Puttick;
6th -8th August 2024 – Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire
Hosting this year’s Girls Junior County Match Days at my home course and being defending champions added a little bit of pressure, but we were all very excited and up for the challenge ahead.
The squad of Tala, Alecia, Hana (Captain), Ava, Amiya, Alice, Grace and Caitlin along with Responsible Adults, Jo, Clare, Barney and I arrived at Brocket Hall on Tuesday morning . We were all in good spirits, however, a lot of time was spent looking at the weather forecast for the rest of the day. The girls decorated the buggy and Jo and Barney took the girls for their pre match prep including stretching, pitching off grass and finally some putts.
Our first match was against Cambs & Hunts and we were elated to win 6 – 0 but there was still a long way to go.
Wednesday was a little over cast and we were playing Essex in the morning, and we knew we had a tough match, so we were not taking anything for granted. Unfortunately we lost 4 – 2 and our girls were a little despondent, but picked themselves up in the afternoon for our match against Beds. We had a 4-2 win, so at the end of Thursday we had won two of our matches, so we were still in contention.
As we did last year we had Norfolk and Suffolk on the final day.
Everyone was in great spirits and an early night was in order as we were leaving the hotel at 6.30am for our 08.00 tee time against Norfolk. What a match with a 6-0 win.
So Thursday afternoon we had our final game against Suffolk, with an outside chance of retaining the title. However, the more experienced Suffolk team were too strong for our girls and they were winners with 4.5 – 1.5.
All of our girls gave their best, but I must mention that Tala, who played number one against the strongest players of each county, won all of her matches, which is a fantastic achievement.
For me, it is a privilege to be part of such a special experience in these young girls lives. I am sure they will look back on this week with fondness.
I am so proud of every member of the squad, they are a credit to our County. A big thank you must also go to Jo, Clare & Barney for all of their help and support. Also to the County team, volunteers, spectators, parents and Jane Walters who went over and above to assist me with set up. Last but by no means least to all of the teams at Brocket for making all of the Counties welcome and for looking after us so well.
