The Ladies English Open will return to The Oxfordshire in 2009 after a successful debut last weekend.

A superb eight-under-par final round of 64 saw Rebecca Hudson claim victory by a shot from fellow Brit Melissa Reid.

And now Hudson will be able to defend her title at the course near Thame, which hosted impressive crowds over the three days.

Paul Gibbons, chairman of the Leaderboard Group, which owns The Oxfordshire, said: "This has been a fantastic tournament and congratulations to Rebecca on a stunning final round which gave her a deserved victory.

"It's great to see the English contingent featuring so strongly in the Ladies English Open, particularly as Leaderboard have been such strong supporters of women's golf over the years.

"I'd also like to give a big thank you to all the spectators in attendance over the three days, particularly those that braved Sunday's conditions.

"I'm sure they felt it was worth it given the thrilling finish. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year."

Oxfordshire's amateur ladies champion Sam Round missed the cut after a disappointing second day, but will have learnt much from playing in her first professional event.

She said: "I had a really great time. I played really well on the first day and chipped in on the eighth, which was my 17th.

"The crowd were great. I probably had one of the biggest galeries on the course on the Friday.

"The weather was terrible on the Saturday and I just couldn't deal with it.

"It got progressively worse as the day went on and I was in one of the last groups to go out."

The Oxfordshire have received another boost with the news that they have gained planning permission for a 50-bedroom hotel on site.

  • Katherine O'Connor finished fifth in the English Schools Championship at Kendleshire, Bristol after rounds of 73 and 74.

The Tadmarton Heath member, who attends Banbury College, will now represent England Schools against Scotland in September - despite being a Welsh international!