Forest Pines Ladies squad chasing their Spanish dream

THE ladies team from Forest Pines are just one step away from a dream trip to Spain.

They have fought their way through eight rounds to the quarter-finals of the Mail on Sunday national competition.

CHEERS!: The Forest Pines ladies squad. They are (standing, left to right) Cathy Wheatley, Sue Harvey, Liz Turner, Wynn Davies, Sue Hover, Helen Scruton, Lydia Harriman and Gill Stephenson. Seated are (left to right) Cei Chaplin, Jean Cook, June Marshall and Jean Walker.

That will be staged later this month near Manchester – with the four winning teams booked on a flight to southern Spain for the grand finals in October.

But Liz Turner, captain of the triumphant Forest Pines squad, won't be able to play in the quarter-finals.

"I'm away on holiday – in Spain," she groaned.

"What bad timing is that!"

This is the second time the Forest Pines ladies have had a long run in the Mail on Sunday competition.

Four years ago they reached the last 16 – this time they have gone one better.

They clinched their place in the quarter-finals on Monday of this week with a 3-2 victory at the Stocksbridge and District club near Sheffield.

Prior to that, they had made their mark in the competition with a 4-1 victory away at top club Ganton.

There are five players in the team and Forest Pines have decided to operate this campaign with an eight-strong squad of players.

Captained by Turner, they have comprised: Sue Harvey, Cathy Wheatley, Kay Clark, Jenny Swain, Wynn Davies, Lizzie Over and Gill Stephenson.

"They have all played a big part in helping us get this far," said Turner.

"The newest member of the squad is Kay Clark, who plays off a handicap of 19 – and has not been beaten in this competition for us.

"We are all getting excited now as we prepare for the quarter-finals at the Worsely Park course near Manchester.

"We will be one of eight teams there who have won through from all over England, also from Scotland and Wales.

"We arrive there on the Sunday night for a meal when the draw is then made for the matches, which will be played the following day.

"The winners all go to Spain for the finals which will be played at El Rampido Golf Club, which is near the border with Portugal.

"It will be Sue Harvey who will take over from me as captain in Manchester – but I will certainly be keeping in contact with them from my holiday in Spain – hoping to be going back there again soon with the team!"