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Long game of the Lawton wins title

Geoff Garnett
18/ 7/2007

KAMILLA Lawton surprised even herself when she won the North of England Women's Championship at Wilmslow.

"I didn't even pack a change of clothing for the presentation," she admitted after her comprehensive four and three victory in the torrential rain over Cumbrian Clare Brown.

"Luckily I had a spare shirt in the car so I had to make do with that," she said, after eclipsing favourite and Cheshire team-mate Caroline Marron three and two in the semi-finals.

"I honestly did not think I'd beat her but I must have played well because I was four-under-par, and I was on form with my long game," said the 26-year-old, who won the 2000 JJB Sports Manchester Evening News Women's Championship.

Around 90 of the top players from around the north of England braved the rain to take part in the competition.

Lawton hit rounds of 78 and 77 in the 36-hole qualifier to reach the last-16 matchplay stage.

She recently became a member at Wilmslow Golf Club to join up with friends she has made during her time on the Cheshire circuit.

Lawton abandoned her ambition to turn professional soon after signing on as a trainee two years ago at Prestbury but she still works in the club shop and practises three times a week.

"I thought better of it," said the three-handicapper, a former Northern Girls champion who first picked up a club at the age of three.

"I want to play more national tournaments next season, providing I can get some time off work."

The final was nip and tuck and there was nothing between the finalists at the turn but Lawton stepped up to win four of the next five holes.