SCHOOLGIRL Morgan Leah Thomas lifted the Ludlow Golf Club Ladies Scratch Bowl with an excellent round in tricky conditions.

The 14-year-old from Beau Desert Golf Club in Staffordshire shot an excellent gross 73 to take the honours.

Three-handicapper Morgan made the most of the dry conditions to see off the challenge from women from the surrounding counties, many of whom were taken by surprise by Ludlow’s free-draining course and the speed of the greens.

Her birdies on the first two holes were the start of a handful throughout the round in spite of playing through biting cold winds, rain and a heavy hail shower.

The prize for the best nett this year went to ten-handicapper Sarah Parker, from Cradoc Golf Club Brecon, who carded a very creditable nett 73, gross 83.

This year’s event was hailed a great success with entrants already asking for details of the 2017 competition. The tournament is open to 15 handicappers and below with the coveted Scratch Bowl being presented for the best gross score of the day. Details of next year’s open will be posted on www.ludlowgolfclub.com and Golf Empire by the end of the year.

Jonathan Price, Ludlow GC’s junior captain for 2016, got his year off to a winning start in the April Medal.

In very testing conditions he won Division Two with a best of the day nett score of 68. This was matched by Lee Jackson who lost out on the back six holes. Division One was won by Kevin Farrell with a one under nett score of 69, one shot better than Andrew Ferriday. Ferriday’s gross score of 72 was the best of the day.

Steve Fisher finished on top in Division Three with a nett 71, two shots clear of Guy Jordan and Charlie Thomas.