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Ladies’ Gold Challenge Cup Report

The centenary year of the Gold Cup was celebrated in style on Saturday 18th April with a field of 48 players from all over the country playing 36 holes in all weathers. A cold wind was blowing from the south-west but after early rain the day remained dry.  The greens were fast and the course a real test of talent and stamina. Without exception the players were full of praise for the immaculate condition of the golf course.

The winner, Luca Thompson from Pavenham Park in Bedfordshire went one better than last year when, as an amateur she came second.

 

Her rounds of 73, 74 gave her a two-shot lead over professionals Annabell Fuller of Roehampton Club and Lauren Horsford – both on 149.  Having turned professional earlier this year, Luca joined the Tour in Australia.

 

The Gold Cup was her third event and she was absolutely buzzing for this to have been her first professional win. Luca had played at Roehampton Club a few times, winning the Gold Rose Trophy in 2022 which gave her the necessary WAGR points to play for Wales.

 

She went on to win the Welsh Championship and had top three finishes in the Welsh, the Scottish and the Spanish opens last year.  Roehampton Club therefore means a lot to her and she suggested that it was very good preparation for her next event.

She is a cool customer! Luca entered the Gold Cup knowing that she had a plane to catch the same evening to join the Tour in Johannesburg for the twelfth Johannesburg Ladies Open which takes place at Randpark this week (April 16-19).  Her early start not only produced the winning score but enabled her and her supporting parents and brother to make it to Heathrow and catch the flight to South Africa.  The downside was that she was unable to attend the prizegiving.  With some thoughtful planning the Bedfordshire County Captain, Claire Cummings, was present at Roehampton Club and therefore able to accept the Gold Cup and deliver Luca’s thank-yous to the club.

The leading amateur was Chloe Ryan, Sunningdale, 74,75; second amateur was Isabelle Simpson, Roehampton, 75,75 on a countback from last year’s winner Ella Butteriss from Beaconsfield 73,77.

Roehampton Club would like to acknowledge and thank Russell-Cooke for their continued support for this prestigious event.

Caroline Scallon

Click here for the Gold Cup History Booklet

Click here for some Gold Cup photographs by Charlie Round-Turner