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Nairn golfer successfully defends Northern Counties Championship at Fortrose and Rosemarkie


By Will Clark

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Nairn Golf Club’s Carinne Taylor successfully defended her Northern Counties Championship title at Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club.

Carinne Taylor
Carinne Taylor

The 24-year-old from Forres held her nerve to win at the 18th hole against Royal Dornoch’s Cara Thompson in a close final to win the trophy for the second time.

Taylor laid down her intentions to defend her title early when she hit a 72 and was five shots ahead of the rest of the leaderboard in the qualifying stages.

Going into the matchplay stage of the competition as the top ranked golfer, Taylor defeated fellow Nairn Golf Club competitor Emily Tan in the quarter finals.

She then beat Elgin Golf Club’s Jenny Milne in the semi final by 3/2 before setting up a showdown against Thompson which went all the way to the final hole.

Admitting it was a close contest, Taylor was pleased she held her nerve to retain her championship.

Despite five shots ahead of the chasing pack in the qualifying stages, she knew she needed to play good golf to keep her trophy.

“I had to beat Jenny in the semi final and Cara in the final who are both past champions,” she said.

“They were both tough matches, especially against Cara, so nothing was ever certain.

“In the semi final against Jenny, I was two down after six holes and it was not an easy defence.

“The final went all the way to the 18th at Fortrose which is not an easy hole, especially being a par three and playing into the wind as well.

“But I was never down in the final, it could have gone into extra holes as it was all square at the 17th, but I was fortunate Cara put her shot into the bunker on the 18th.

“It is a good achievement as there are big names who have won the Counties Championship in the past who have gone into the professional ranks.

“It is a well contested competition and a prestigious one to win.”


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