Strong finish from Chloe Tarbard secures breakthrough victory at Gog Magog

Fourteen-year-old Chloe Tarbard added her name to an illustrious list of champions as the Norfolk junior edged out Yorkshire’s Charlotte Colley to win the English Schools Championship at Gog Magog.

The Royal Norwich player follows in the recent footsteps of Curtis Cup stars Amelia Williamson and Charlotte Heath as the competition returned after a two-year, Covid-enforced break.

Tarbard, who represented England U-16s against Spain U-16s earlier this year, has been threatening to make a breakthough victory for some time – she finished fifth at the Midlands U-16s – but it all came together yesterday at the Cambridgeshire venue.

“I’m so happy to be the English Schools National Girls champion,” said the Wolsey Hall pupil, who is part of England Golf’s East Region Girls squad.

“I have been working really hard with my coaches Joe Lambert (swing) & Chase Davis (putting) and to see some good results in my game will hopefully help me fulfil my goals this season.”

Tarbard started the second round with a two-shot lead over Cookridge Hall’s Zara Ali. Starting at the tenth, she got to the turn in two over but a run of three birdies in four holes proved critical.

At the par five first (10th) she sent her pitch to gimme range before experiencing a touch of déjà vu by sinking one from 30 feet at the second (11th). In the morning round she had holed out from virtually the same spot.

At the par five fourth (13th) she got under par for her round, finding the putting surface in two and lagging up her approach putt expertly but she did drop a shot at the seventh (16th) on her way to a second successive 72.

Written by GolfNews24

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