NESTA Woolford, the only surviving member of the Frilford Heath quartet who reached the final of the Mail on Sunday Golf Classic two years ago, is confident of emulating that success this year.

Woolford was just 17 when she helped Lynda King, Brigitte Wilenkin and Roma Wilcock reach the Normandy final in 1996, but now the teenager finds herself leading from the front.

"I am the lowest handicapper in the team and I now play at No 4 and not No 1 like I did two years ago," Woolford said.

"That means if the match goes to a play-off then it's up to me to go out and win it."

Woolford, who works at Witney Lakes GC, has vivid memories of the quarter-final at The Belfry two years ago when King won a play-off amid jubilant scenes.

"That was a real pressure situation and Lynda handled it superbly. I only hope I can do the same if a play-off is needed," she said.

Woolford boasts a magnificent record in the competition, losing just one of 26 matches she has played in during the past three summers.

Her only defeat came on the 18th at High Post last year and, having battled through eight rounds already, the ladies are confident of making the last four. "It would be very nice if we can do it again," remarked Woolford. "We all get on well together and meet all the time. The other girls are very excited about the prospect of a trip to Spain."

The quartet of Woolford, Sarah Waugh, Susie Glennie and Sarah Huntley, bolstered by reserves Pat Huntley and ladies captain Wilenkin, travel up to The Belfry on Sunday for practice and dinner when the draw for Monday's matches will take place.

"You couldn't wish for two better reserves than Pat and Brigitte," Woolford admitted.

"It's also been a great help having Jean Lees assisting with the administration and as non-playing captain. And it's quite odd really that the youngest player on the team is passing on experience of the competition to the others."

Frilford will be hoping to avoid previous winners Hockley from Hampshire in Sunday's draw, but with six other teams from all over the UK having battled their way to this stage, Woolford knows it's not going to be easy. "You can get an idea of what the opposition will be like during practice, but it's going to be tough whoever we come up against. Golf's such an unpredictable game.

"What I want to avoid is to give too many shots away. I gave ten in an earlier round and that's an awful lot to make up.

"We would all like to reach our goal in Spain and it would be nice to surpass what we achieved in Normandy two years ago."

Monday's four winners will book a place at the European final in San Roque next month.

Joining Frilford Heath and Hockley at the famous Sutton Coldfield course next week are Scottish and Irish champions Hilton Park and Dundalk, Immingham (Lincoln), Pleasington (Lancs), Chigwell (Essex) and Bristol- based Long Ashton.

Meanwhile, Oxon Ladies champion Woolford, whose father Mike acts as her caddy, has already won a date in Spain, having qualified for the Daily Express Ladies Singles finals, beating last year's champion on the way.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.