Anne gives lesson in Challenge Cup

Anne gives lesson in Challenge Cup

11 September 2013

TEACHER Anne O’Prey proved she was a class act on Friday last when she won the Ladies’ Challenge Cup at Spa — one of the club’s oldest and most historic trophies.

Playing in difficult late afternoon weather conditions, Anne carded a total of 34 points to claim the trophy by one point from Pam Trohear, who finished in second place.

It was a magnificent back nine score of 21 points which settled the matter for Anne after her opening nine holes produced just 13 points.

Her name now joins an illustrious list of winners of the Challenge Cup going back more than a century and Anne said she was “absolutely honoured and delighted” to win such an important Spa trophy.

According to the official records of Spa Golf Club, the council meeting on May 15, 1912, agreed to present a Challenge Cup to the ladies’ branch.

“This Cup is not to be won out, but must be played for annually by those who are members of the Club and that it carry with it annually prizes of value £1 for the winner  and 10 shillings (50p) for the runner-up,” the club minutes state.

A three-strong sub-committee was set up to select the trophy, which was to have a value of about £5.

In those days Spa Golf Club was just five years old and the conditions for members both on an off the course were rather basic and primitive — a far cry from the sophisticated, modern sporting complex that now exits on Ballynahinch’s Grove Road.

Sally Ann Douglas, Spa’s lady captain, congratulated Anne on her “wonderful achievement” in winning this important trophy which had been cherished at the club for so long.

The Challenge Cup will be formally presented to Anne on Presentation Night, which is t

raditionally held in late November.