The 2023 West London Golf Society Ladies Championship took place at the South Buckinghamshire Golf Course under brilliant sunshine. A record number of 15 ladies participated in the event, including several new players, making it a highly competitive field. Despite recent heavy rain, the course was in excellent condition, especially the greens which were very responsive.
The competition witnessed impressive performances from various participants, with notable showings from seasoned WLGS winner Betty Yao and debutant Merieme Ouahbi. Both Betty and Merieme initially claimed the clubhouse lead with impressive point totals. However, it was Kim Howe who emerged as the ultimate victor, securing a remarkable 35 points and clinching the coveted championship trophy.
Merieme secured the runner-up position and also earned recognition for her powerful drive by winning the longest drive award. May Lee, a first-time participant, showcased her skills by landing a precise shot just 10 feet away from the flag on the challenging par-3 second hole, earning her the nearest the pin award.
In the men's section, Peter Waddell achieved his first WLGS victory, amassing an incredible 42 points, which included an astonishing 27 points on the back nine. This remarkable performance allowed him to edge past Simon Turner, who scored 37 points, to secure the win. Bakthiar Hussain showcased his accuracy by claiming the nearest the pin award, while Vishal Dhanak demonstrated skillful play on the challenging 7th hole to secure the nearest the pin in two shots.
The Championship had additional significance as points were doubled up for the Ladies section in the Order of Merit, resulting in some shifts in the standings. Kim's outstanding victory saw her climb to fourth spot, and Kristina Larsson's solid round sees her move within a point of second-placed Ingrid Deane-Williams. Linda Sulman continues her reign in pole position with a five-point cushion.
In the mens, Bakthiar still leads the way but his lead as now been cut in half, with Simon grabbing nine vital points. Turin Mia, who was beaten to runner-up only on countback, climbs to fourth place. Peter's win propels him to sixth position. With just two events to go the race is really hotting up.
The WLGS members' support and dedication were evident once again as tee times were sold out and the fairways were dominated by enthusiastic participants. The thriving Ladies section demonstrated its enduring prowess, and Kim Howe emerged as a deserving and worthy winner of the WLGS Ladies Championship title.
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