Observer Ladies Golf Trophy

MOST OF the golfing world may have been focused on the Ryder Cup on Sunday, but the Hyndburn ladies were having a nail-biting finale of their own.

In the Ladies Observer Shield final at Baxenden, Donna Westall admitted the whole round is a bit of a blur after a nerve-racking day.

The Rishton golfer was taking on Whalley's Agnes Seery for what is one of the top prizes in amateur ladies golf in the area.

Donna, in her first major competition final, plays off 22 and was giving Agnes, an administrative officer in Accrington, five shots.

And Donna came out on top winning 4&3 - but didn't have a clue it was happening.

"I know I won the first hole and that's all," said the 41-year-old who only took up the sport last year after playing hockey for Great Harwood Ladies for years.

"I wasn't aware at all of how it was going and just got my head down and played.

"That's just nerves as I was just so tense. I can look back now and say it was a fantastic day but I couldn't at the time!"

Both Donna and Agnes called on help from experienced players as both were finallists for the first time.

Donna's caddie was Rishton's Lady Captain Josie Banks while Agnes made use of Whalley's Lady Captain Betty Rostron.

"Josie was a great help. She could see I was nervous and I just left everything to her," continued Donna, a group supply chain manager in Yorkshire.

"She was keeping score and knew what was happening while I was just playing.

"Josie was so valuable. She told me what to do. When I didn't take her advice it all went wrong but when it did it went well.

"She talked all the way round, giving me tales about competitions she had been involved with and taking my mind off things which helped.

"Then we got to the 14th and Agnes hit her ball into the trees. She played a really good shot to get out of it but I was on the green.

"I can't really remember what happened next but I remember Josie looking really excited and I couldn't figure out why.

"Then Agnes conceded the hole and Josie said 'That's it, you've won.'

"I was shocked - I couldn't believe it and, even though I have got the trophy on my kitchen table at home, it is only just starting to sink in.

"But it was great playing Agnes. Despite both of us playing in our first finals and being nervous we still managed to have a laugh and a joke round the course."

And the ladies got the best of the weather after the men's final was played in rain and wind earlier this month.

"I was driving up to Baxenden and the heavens opened and I remember wondering if the final would be on," said Donna.

"Then I could see just one bit of blue sky and fortunately for us, it was over Baxenden.

"It was such a fantastic day though and I would like to thank those people from Rishton who supported me and Agnes and her caddy for a great day.

"I am definitely a little bit hooked on golf now!"