Newmarket Links Golf Club members impress at English Senior Women’s Amateur Championship before dominant display at Cambs & Hunts Ladies’ County Championship

The female section at The Links Golf Club in Newmarket has been celebrating some impressive results both nationally and locally in recent weeks.

At the English Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, held at The Nottinghamshire Golf Club, Marcella Tuttle and Jackie Ewing flew the flag for The Links among a field of 77 top senior players from across England.

After 36 holes of challenging stroke play, on a course with water hazards on all but one hole, both players qualified for the match play rounds.

Tuttle finished second in qualifying (+5), with club-mate Ewing close behind in 13th (+11), placing both among the top 16.

And although Tuttle narrowly lost a close match in the first round, Ewing advanced all the way to the final, defeating an England international in the semi-final before finishing runner-up to former professional Sarah Naden.

Tuttle said: “I think my late husband John was watching over me. I was thrilled to qualify second but disappointed to lose on the 19th in both events. Still, there’s no shame in losing to someone 25 years my junior.

“Hopefully Jackie and I can carry this form into Gerard’s Cross in June.”

Both players earned valuable Order of Merit points, putting them in contention for selection to represent England at the Home Internationals and European Team Championships later this year.

Meanwhile, Ewing added: “It’s been an exciting week. Reaching the English Seniors’ final on my first try was unexpected, but I kept my cool under pressure. I’m looking forward to the next event at Gerard’s Cross.”

And both players were also in action on home turf as The Links hosted the Cambs & Hunts Ladies’ County Championship, which became a showcase of the club’s talent.

Out of 27 competitors, a quartet of Links players qualified for the match play stage, and all four won their quarter-final encounters, ensuring that it was an all-Links affair in the semi-final.

In the semis, Tabitha Brain defeated Sarah Greenall on the 18th, while Tuttle overcame Ewing 5&4.

The final between Tuttle and Brain proved to be an even match up, going all the way to sudden death before the latter sealed the win with a birdie on the 19th hole for her first county title since 2015.