A birthday to remember for Panton-Lewis

Cathy Panton-Lewis is heading across the Atlantic next week to compete in the first US Senior Women’s Open at Chicago Golf Club, America.

Panton-Lewis celebrated her 63rd birthday in style by winning the pre-qualifying event by two clear strokes at Ferncroft Country Club in Boston, Massachusetts last week.

“I played Ferncroft where the event was held over 30 years ago in the Boston Five Classic on the LPGA Tour, back in the mid-eighties.

“It was fun to return there and I even stayed in the same hotel that I stayed in when I was on tour.

“The scores were very high because of both the weather and Ferncroft being a tough course.

“As it was also my 63rd birthday, it’s one I’ll never forget, especially when I was being presented with my winner's medal from the USGA. What a birthday present!”

Panton-Lewis turned professional in 1978 having won the British Ladies Amateur title and was a founding member of the Ladies European Tour (LET).

She won the first ever LET Order of Merit event and went on to win 14 Tour titles during an 18-year playing career.

Now working as an Assistant at The Berkshire Golf Club in Ascot, Panton-Lewis is putting her club duties to one side as she prepares for the US Senior Women’s Open from July 12-15.