Ladies Open - Woolton take the top spot The thundery showers threatened at the beginning of the week did not materialise on Wednesday 19th August as teams gathered for the 2026 Mersey Valley Ladies Open. Instead, the sun shone as ladies from Childwall, Grange Park, Haydock Park, Hartford, Huyton & Prescott, Lymm, Mersey Valley, Southport & Ainsdale, Warrington, and Woolton gathered for their tee. The greens staff had been out early doing a splendid job raking bunkers and preparing the course for the visitors. Janet Cooke, Carol Barnes, Hazel Kelsall, Cathy Eagles and Marjorie Cross all worked to prepare and run the event on the day. Jim and Isabel manned the kitchen and bar, while John Wray was stood on the 1st tee as Starter to send teams on their way. The 2026 Open was ready and underway … Mersey Valley’s Jamie Maguire, accompanied by Diane Murphy and Andrea Walsh from Grange Park, led the first team out. First in, they topped the leaderboard with a score of 81 points – a position they were to hold for most of the afternoon. Huyton & Prescott – Marian Jones, Susan King, Julie Carmel – held second place just 3 points behind. It was not until late afternoon that Woolton showed their hand – storming in with a massive 85 points to take the winning spot. Irene McAllister, Muriel Byrne and Joyce Dunn were delighted – especially as Muriel had celebrated her 90th birthday just a few months ago and admirably demonstrated that with a handicap of 22.9, age is no barrier to golf. And Woolton were not yet done! Irene McAllister won Nearest the Pin in 2 on the 10th Hole, beating Marian Jones (Huyton & Prescott) and Abigail Beirne (Haydock Park). Jamie Maguire (Mersey Valley) took Nearest the Pin on the 2nd. Our thanks go to all those who participated, assisted in the organisation, and ensured it was a wonderful day for all. Wednesday 18th August 2027 is the planned date for the next Mersey Valley Ladies Open. Will Woolton return to battle to retain their title? Will Jamie muster her Grange Park ladies to go for the top spot again? We hope to see everyone back in 2027 for the Mersey Valley Ladies Open.