GB&I retain Astor Trophy
22nd June 2011

Great Britain and Ireland successfully retained the Astor Trophy on a final day of drama at Fairhaven in Lancashire.

Successful Great Britain & Ireland team (Image: Cal Carson Golf Agency & EWGA)

The team, which included England internationals Holly Clyburn and Kelly Tidy, fought back to defeat Canada 4-3 and complete a clean sweep of four wins from four matches during the week.

During the event, formerly the Commonwealth Tournament, GB&I also beat Australia 5-2; South Africa 6-1; and New Zealand 4½-2½.

GB&I, who won this event when it was last held four years ago in South Africa, have dominated this tournament. Their latest success brings their tally to seven victories from 14 championships – and they've never been beaten on home ground.

Their 2011 triumph involved a brave fightback against Canada who won both the morning foursomes. However GB&I turned the tables in the singles, led by Pamela Pretswell of Scotland who won her match 6/5. However the other four singles all went to the 18th – three ending in favour of GB&I.

Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) and Amy Boulden of Wales had identical finishes: both won the 15th to get back to all square and both won the 18th to snatch victory. Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) was one down at the turn but one up after 14 and held her nerve with a series of halved holes to claim her point. Scotland's Kelsey MacDonald had a ding-dong finish to her game but was narrowly defeated when she lost the 18th.

The winning GB&I team is pictured, from left: Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale), Amy Boulden (Maesdu), captain Tegwen Matthews (Wenvoe Castle), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa).

Full scores: www.lgu.org

    
Image: Cal Carson Golf Agency