FORMER swimming coach Louise Hinchliffe, from Greenfield, made a big splash by taking the top prize on her Chronicle Cup debut.
The 58-year-old shot a two-under-par nett 70 at Crompton and Royton to pip fellow Saddleworth member Kaye Orme by a shot.
Louise, who has played tennis, squash and hockey in her formative years, had not played golf since she was ten and took up the game again last year after retiring.
She has come down to 25 handicap and continued her good form with a steady performance on a warm and windy day when the quick greens and tough rough sent the scores soaring.
“I am delighted to win this most prestigious competition,” said Louise.
Louise has been playing with a set of her mother’s clubs that were sitting unused in the garage and she was thrilled to ring her golfing parents to tell them about her victory.
Former winner Orme was surprised to be second as she expected someone to go low after she recorded an impressive 77-6-71 return in the first group of the day.
“I got it going and was one-under gross at the turn but lost the greens on the back nine and frittered away shots,” she said.
“I really thought that 71 would be several shots back but the wind clearly played its part in pushing up the scores.”
The competition’s two youngest players picked up the other two main prizes.
Crompton and Royton’s Emily Halstead, 12, claimed third place, shooting a level par 100-28-72, while 17-year-old Corina Teirney (C&R) won the best gross prize with an 85.
The Centenary Plate, presented to the club with the lowest four-player total, went to the C&R quartet of Emily Halstead, Noreen Nicholson, Margaret Hornby and Carina Tierney.
The nine-hole afternoon greensome prize was won by Sheila Parkinson and Jennifer Sykes (56-15.7-40.3).
The Chronicle Cup was presented by David Whaley, secretary of the Oldham and District Golf Society.
