Martindale sets the pace

Marie Martindale set the pace and the standard from the outset en route to winning the first WPGA One Day Series event of the season at Little Aston.

Playing in the first pairing, Martindale, who is attached to Hampstead Golf Club, served notice of her intentions with three birdies on the bounce.

Bogeys at the penultimate and last holes before the turn checked her momentum before she began the back nine as she had the outward half.

Birdies at the par five 10^th and par four 11^th followed to take her to three-under for the tournament and, with two more birdies erased by bogeys, she signed for a round of 71.

All of which ensured she finished two shots clear of Suzanne Dickens and Rhiannon Linacre to claim the £350 first prize.

Moreover, in tandem with Sarah Walton of Belton Park Golf Club, the pair set a cracking pace by completing their negotiation of an Open Championship qualifying venue in just three hours.

Meanwhile Dickens, who is attached to Thorpe Wood Golf Course, Peterborough, looked set to mount a strong challenge to Martindale when, inspired by an eagle at the par-four fourth, she reached the turn in two-under-par.

She was becalmed thereafter, however, and a bogey at the par-four 18^th resulted in her signing for a one-under-par round of 73.

By contrast, Linacre of Notts Golf Club, posted three birdies and no bogeys on the back nine and was left to rue three bogeys in the first five holes that resulted in her being two-over at the turn.