Kempsell becomes first woman to win England Captain’s title – Golf News

The final event of England Golf Week made history as Surrey’s Sylvia Kempsell became the first woman to win the England Captains’ Grand Final.

78 players from the 11 England Captains events that started earlier in the summer met in an 18-hole final on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, as Kempsell took the title.

Kempsell, who is a member of Leatherhead Golf Club, scored 42 in the Stableford to win by one point over Ian Smith (who played on par at 12) representing Peterborough Milton.

The 71-year-old booked his place in the final with a qualifier at Burhill in the captain’s first game of the season and continued his good form into the final.

Six pars were decisive as he scored on every hole playing a 27 handicap.

Three players came in with 40 points, but it was Berrington Hall’s Chris Chisnall who grabbed 3rd place on the countback with 23 points on the back-9, ahead of Martin Neal (The Players) and Paul Vass (Bungay & Waveney Valley).

England Captains is an exclusive membership society of past and present English club and county captains and vice-captains. The program has been active since 1973, has over 5,000 active members and is open to both men and women.

The 2025 England Captains Tournament Series will expand to 15 venues, including Silloth in Solway, Moortown, Saunton and Purdis Heath to name a few.

View the final leaderboard here.