Emma suffers semi-final loss (From Gazette & Herald)

Emma suffers semi-final loss

Defending English Ladies Close Amateur Champion Emma Duggleby lost the grip on her crown when she was beaten in the last four by Shelley McKevitt at the Northamptonshire Golf Club last Friday.

Duggleby, of Malton and Norton GC, was beaten by the Reading-based player 2 and 1 in a tight encounter as she looked to complete her third English title in five years after wins last year and also in 2000. Ironically, she is linking up with her opponent this week for training as key members of the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup squad.

Despite winning the first hole, 32-year-old Duggleby was three down with three to play. She won the 16th, but a par from McKevitt on the next clinched the win. McKevitt went on to lose 4 and 3 to Waterlooville's Kerry Smith in the final.

Duggleby said: "I can't really complain with how my form has gone so far this year. I've had a good run. Unfortunately, against Shelley, I never hit the ball quite as well as earlier in the tournament. It was the first time we had played each other competitively, so it was always going to be a difficult match.

"I played all right, but never putted well enough. Shelley dropped a couple of vital putts while I had a couple that lipped out. But that's the way it goes."

Earlier in the week, Duggleby was in exceptional form as she ended the strokeplay qualifying stages six shots clear of the field, the highlight being a four-under par second round. In the earlier matchplay stages, she beat Katie Dobson 6 and 4, Rachael Lomas 3 and 1 and Natalie Hayward 4 and 2.

Naomi Edwards, of Ganton GC, is in the European Lady Juniors team to play at Royal Cinque Ports GC in Deal on July 6-10.

Updated: 12:34 Wednesday, May 26, 2004