Spalding Women's Open Stroke Play

The Spalding Women's Open Stroke Play was a national women's 72-hole stroke play golf tournament played in England from 1954 to 1959. It was sometimes referred to as the unofficial stroke play championship. The 1954 event was won by Jean Donald, who had recently become a professional. The event was preceded by the Women's National Tournament which was held from 1945 to 1951 and again in 1953.

Spalding Women's Open Stroke Play
Tournament information
LocationEngland
Established1954
FormatStroke play
Final year1959
Final champion
England Elizabeth Price

Winners

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Year Winner Score Margin
of victory
Runner(s)-up Venue Ref.
Daily Sketch Women's National Tournament
1945   Jeanne Bisgood 75 3 strokes   Gabrielle Style
  Mervyn Sutherland Pilch
Royal Mid-Surrey [1]
Daily Graphic Women's National Tournament
1946   Frances Stephens 80 2 strokes   Gabrielle Style Royal Mid-Surrey [2]
1947   Frances Stephens 148 1 stroke   Maureen Ruttle Sudbury [3]
1948   Frances Stephens 147 6 strokes   Gabrielle Style Royal Mid-Surrey [4]
1949   Frances Stephens 154 Playoff   Diana Critchley Wentworth [5][6]
1950   Frances Stephens 152 1 stroke   Jeanne Bisgood Wentworth [7]
1951   Jeanne Bisgood 149 3 strokes   Jean Donald
  Ann Phillips
Wentworth [8]
1952 Not held
Sunday Graphic Women's National Tournament
1953   Frances Stephens 315 Countback   Jean Donald Sunningdale [9]
Spalding Women's Open Stroke Play
1954   Jean Donald 313 4 strokes   Gabrielle Keiller Walton Heath [10]
1955   Elizabeth Price 295 23 strokes   Gabrielle Keiller Walton Heath [11]
1956   Marley Spearman 308 3 strokes   Elizabeth Price Moor Park [12]
1957   Jessie Valentine 291 2 strokes   Marley Spearman Moor Park [13]
1958   Frances Smith 301 6 strokes   Marley Spearman The Berkshire [14]
1959   Elizabeth Price 297 1 stroke   Bridget Jackson Worthing [15]

References

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  1. ^ "Win for newcomer to women's golf". The Daily Telegraph. 1 September 1945. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com/.
  2. ^ "Wanda Morgan's lapse". The Daily Telegraph. 14 September 1946. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com/.
  3. ^ "Miss Stephens wins for second year". The Daily Telegraph. 13 September 1947. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com/.
  4. ^ "Golf hat-trick by Miss Stephens". The Daily Telegraph. 15 August 1948. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com/.
  5. ^ "Tournament play-off". The Glasgow Herald. 13 August 1949. p. 2.
  6. ^ "Another victory for Miss Stephens". The Glasgow Herald. 15 August 1949. p. 3.
  7. ^ "Miss Stephens wins at Wentworth". The Glasgow Herald. 20 July 1950. p. 2.
  8. ^ "Miss Bisgood scores record 69". The Glasgow Herald. 18 July 1951. p. 9.
  9. ^ "Miss Donald equals winning score". The Glasgow Herald. 15 July 1953. p. 2.
  10. ^ "Miss Donald wins by four strokes". The Glasgow Herald. 31 July 1954. p. 9.
  11. ^ Wilson, Enid (16 July 1955). "Miss Price first by 23 strokes". The Daily Telegraph. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Wilson, Enid (17 October 1956). "Mrs Spearman all the way". The Daily Telegraph. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Wilson, Enid (26 October 1957). "Mrs Valentine improves to beat holder". The Daily Telegraph. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Wilson, Enid (25 October 1958). "Mrs Smith is winner by six strokes". The Daily Telegraph. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Wilson, Enid (31 October 1959). "Last round of 69 earns Miss Price the title". The Daily Telegraph. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.