Double joy for Hall and Woodcock

Rachel Woodcock ended her first year on the PGA training programme in style by sharing victory in the final WPGA One Day Series event at South Herts Golf Club. 

Woodcock, who represents Belton Park Golf Club in Lincolnshire, tied with Ladies European Tour player Lydia Hall - the pair negotiated the par 74 Hertfordshire course in three-under 71s.

The result means Ladies European Tour player Hall, who is two years through training towards PGA qualification, claims the overall Order of Merit series with three victories in four appearances in the seven event series.

Woodcock finished runner up to Hall but courtesy of playing all seven on the series topped the LETAS qualifying points list for the WPGA International Challenge – the end of season Ladies European Tour Access Series tournament at Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa from October 6-8 which features rising stars from across Europe.

“It was a strong field this year which makes it very satisfying to have finished top of the LETAS points list,” said Woodcock.

“I tied with Lydia Hall at South Herts and it was a real confidence booster to know that I could match someone who’s played on the Tour.”

However Woodcock admitted she was frustrated she did not claim an outright victory after competing in all seven events.

“I had two wins but they were both joint victories, it would’ve been nice if at least one of them had been an outright win,” she added.

“Nevertheless, I felt that if I could play in all the events then I would stand a chance, so I set out at the start of the year to do that.

“I had my mum with me acting as my caddy and we treated each event as a bit of a getaway.

“I just set out to pile up the points and be as consistent as possible and it all went to plan.” 

Hall meanwhile can reflect on a successful campaign – both on Tour and closer to home which saw her create history as the first female winner of the Welsh National PGA Championship at Tenby in July.