Kelly Travers has won the 32nd Liphook Scratch Cup.

The prestigious 36 hole event on the England Women’s amateur circuit took place in July, having previously taken place at the end of August. This new date did not deter the entries, and 50 players took to the golf course. Handicaps ranged from below scratch to eight, and players came from all over the country.

The cup was won by Alresford’s Travers on countback, with rounds of 74 and 77 for a total of 151. Darcie West from Sandy Lodge was second with rounds of 68 and 83. Rafi Dyer (Hayling Island/Liphook) was third on 152 with rounds of 78 and 74.

Travers began golf aged 11, encouraged by her golfing parents, joining Alresford. She took to the game seriously aged 16, and in 2005 was runner-up in the Hampshire County Championships to Liz Young. She turned pro at 20, working at East Horton Golf Club, but after eight years fell away from golf.

Regaining her amateur status in March 2014, she returned to playing golf for Hampshire and was in the winning team at the county finals at Belton Park.

After another break she took the game up again in 2022 and broke the course record at Alresford twice. This year she came in the top ten at the Hampshire Rose and made the cut at the English Amateur at Stoneham.

It was while supporting players at the Hampshire County Week at Liphook in May that Travers, who works in the hospitality industry, decided to enter the Scratch Cup.

“It is the best course in the county at the moment,” said Travers. “The presentation is outstanding. The layout, cutting and overall condition of the course and the greens are one of the best I have ever seen. The consistency from tees, to fairways and greens was perfect.

“Results this year have given me the confidence and belief that you can go back to something you love at any point you want to – as long as you enjoy it.”

By Caroline Scallon