NEWLY-CROWNED Oxfordshire ladies champion Nesta Woolford reflected on her great escape after twice staring defeat in the face.

"It's been a really stressful few days," the 18-year-old admitted after taking the title for the first time at Burford last week.

"I hung on in there against Kirsti (Humphris) and Lynda (King) and the final was the least stressful of my matches, although by then I was really tired."

The teenager stole the glory the hard way, playing 106 holes in three testing days on the course.

In the final, Woolford beat fellow Frilford Heath member Brigitte Wilenkin 4 & 2, and that after losing the opening two holes.

Her semi-final opponent, reigning champion King, fluffed a great opportunity to grab an eighth championship and end Woolford's dream, when she missed an eight-foot putt on the last to win. The pair then parred the first extra hole, before Woolford sent her tee shot to within four feet of the pin at the next and a birdie putt clinched a thrilling semi-final victory.

Tadmarton's Humphris also found herself in front going down the 18th, but Woolford birdied the par four to snatch a quarter-final half and another sudden-death struggle.

Again, a birdie at the par-five first gave Woolford a nail-biting triumph.

Competitors played 36 holes in the qualifying round and King it was with gross rounds of 80 and 76 who topped the leaderboard.

Woolford carded 84 and 77 which earned her a clash with Sarah Waugh, which ended 4 & 3 in Woolford's favour and brought a quarter-final pairing with fellow teenager Humphris.

After all that excitement, the final provided few thrills, despite some excellent golf in showery conditions. Wilenkin took the early initiative, but, with words of encouragement from her caddy - father Mike - Woolford gradually eased her way back into the match.

She was one up at the turn and birdies at 12 and 13 gave her a winning advantage as she collected the title at her third attempt.

The Abingdon College student paid tribute to coach Lee Jackson at Frilford and to the dethroned champion.

"Lee's helped me out tremendously and my game has improved as a result.

"It was tense stuff, especially against Lynda, who has dominated county golf over the past few years and has proved a great champion."

Results - Quarter-finals: L King bt J McCairns 2 & 1, N Woolford bt K Humphris 19th, B Wilenkin bt J DeVere-Hunt 2 & 1, S Waugh bt A Kelly 1up.

Semi-finals: Woolford bt King 20th, Wilenkin bt Kelly 2 up.

Final: Woolford bt Wilenkin 4 & 2.

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