Ladies Observer Golf Trophy 2006

IT could be a whirlwind year of golf for Donna Westall.

The Rishton golfer only took up the sport a year ago and now she hopes to have her hands on one of the most coveted amateur golfing prizes in the area - the Observer Golf Shield.

"I can only describe it as bizarre!" said the 41-year-old. "I only took up the sport a year ago because my nephew, Daniel, had got a golf set and he kept complaining no one would play with him.

"So one day I took him up to Towneley Golf Club and I loved it more than him. Before that, I had thought it was a sport just for old people or posh people.

"I just took to it straight away. I played hockey for years for Great Harwood Ladies and I think that was a definite advantage. It was just one of things."

Donna, who works in West Yorkshire as a group supply chain manager, didn't think she would come anywhere close to the final when she put her name down to take part in this year's Observer Shield.

"I just did it to play at a few of the other golf courses," said Donna who has a handicap of 22.

"But then that didn't work as, until the quarter-finals, I was drawn at home. People kept telling me I should be pleased to play at home but I wanted an away draw!

"Then I went to Green Haworth in the quarter-finals and Accrington in the semi-finals and they were both lovely courses.

"And all my opponents have been really helpful. I came into the competition barely knowing the rules but my opponents, although wanting to win, were really supportive and I have found the comeradie really good."

Donna was going to practise at Baxenden this week before she faces Whalley's Agnes Seery on Sunday, another first time finallist.

It could have been an all-Whalley final with three out of the four players in the semi's being from there, but Donna came through and now hopes to follow in the footsteps of Rishton's Nicola Clarke who won it last year for the fourth time.

"To be honest, I will take it as just another game as I have done all along so far in this competition.

"Whatever happens, happens. I just want to go out and enjoy it. Obviously, we will both want to win but it is a new experience for both of us. I am nervous and I am sure I will be shaking all the way round the course!"

It is the third year running, it is a Whalley-Rishton final and Agnes will be hoping to bring the trophy back to Whalley.

Agnes, an administrative officer in Accrington, plays off 29 and is also in her first final.

"I was shocked to win the quarter-finals so am certainly shocked to reach the final," said Agnes who has played golf off and on for five years and will have the calm head of Whalley's Lady Captain Betty Rostron as her caddie.

"I have hardly been in any finals and I never expected to get this far. I am just going to approach it the way I have approached every game so far and see what happens although on Sunday morning I might change my mind!"