U18 GIRLS' ELITE SQUAD RETAIN TYLER TROPHY

DEVON GOLF

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U18 GIRLS' ELITE SQUAD RETAIN TYLER TROPHY

Under bright September skies but with a stiff breeze at the fantastic venue of Bovey Castle, the
annual clash for the Tyler Trophy delivered a nail-biting contest as the DevonGolf U18 Elite Girls’
Squad held their nerve to edge the DevonGolf Women’s B Team 3–2 in a match that went the
distance.

The day began in fine spirit with both sides sharing bacon baps before play and, fittingly, tournament founder Sally Tyler was on hand to get proceedings underway, 20 years after she first introduced the trophy.

From the first tee shot, drama unfolded. In the opener, Girls’ Captain Susie Carr (Teignmouth) and partner Mia Johnstone-Davis (Stover) traded birdies with Hannah Reynolds (Teignmouth) and Kendal Bradley (Teignmouth). After a back-and-forth battle, it all came down to the 18th, where Reynolds rolled in a nerveless 8-footer to snatch the point for the Women.

The girls quickly struck back. Belle Tarr (Churston) and Gabby Whiteway (Okehampton) looked in control for much of their match against Carys Morris (Portmore) and Rosie Arnold (Teignmouth), with Gabby’s early birdie setting the tone. Though the Women fought hard down the stretch, the youngsters held on to claim a narrow 1-up victory.

Top: **Kendal Bradley, Hannah Reynolds, Sally Tyler, Susie Carr, Mia Johnstone-Davis**
Bottom: **Carys Morris, Rosie Arnold, Sally Tyler, Belle Tarr, Gabby Whiteway**

Momentum swung again in game 3, where Georgia Denega (Churston) and Freya Goddard (Royal North Devon) faced the experienced pairing of Vicky Holloway (Teignmouth) and Helen Chivers (East Devon). The lead changed hands several times, but Denega’s clutch par on 18 sealed another nail-biting 1-up win for the Girls.

Game 4 saw Isla Schofield (Woodbury Park) and Tommasina Miali (Saunton) turn around an early deficit against Tracey Chandler (Downes Crediton) and Sally Underwood (East Devon). After some nervy exchanges on the front 9, the U18s surged ahead late, closing out the contest on the 16th for a 3-2 victory.

Top: **Freya Goddard, Georgia Denega, Sally Tyler, Vicky Holloway, Helen Chivers**
Bottom: **Helen Chandlers, Sally Underwood, Sally Tyler, Isla Scholfield, Tommasina Mialii**

That left the Women needing the final point to keep the match alive and Laura Coleman (Torquay) and Emily Coombes (Great Torrington) duly delivered. They raced out to a 4-hole lead against Martha Massingham (Thurlestone) and Sothea Kasparis (Torquay) and although the girls rallied impressively on the back 9, experience told. The Women closed it out 4-2 to keep the overall score-line close.

**Martha Massingham, Sothea Kasparis, Sally Tyler, Laura Colman, Emily Coombes**

In the end the Girls’ Elite Squad took the honours 3–2, retaining the Tyler Trophy in style. With 3 games decided on the final hole, the day was a showcase of competitive spirit, clutch putting and fearless shot-making.

The contest was played in excellent spirit with Bovey Castle providing a superb stage once again.