THORNBURY’S ladies section are celebrating their most successful season.

The A team have been promoted to Division One of the Bristol & District Alliance for the first time in their history after finishing as runners-up, while the B team won the Division Five title in their first season.

Thornbury only entered the league seven years ago and they’ve enjoyed a rapid rise from Division Five to the top tier under the leadership of captain Ruth Hughes.

“It is a goal we set ourselves at the start of the season and we did it. It was a personal challenge I wanted to achieve,” said Hughes.

“To go to Division One you really do need a strong group of golfers so it’s a bit of kudos for Thornbury. We didn’t think three or four years ago we had the ability to do it.

“It helps put Thornbury Golf Club on the map in the area to show we’re not just a friendly, welcoming golf club but that we’ve got good golfers who are up for the competitive leagues.

“This is about the players and the commitment they showed stuck out for me.”

With a growing number of ladies members, the club decided to enter another side for the first time and it paid dividends.

Kate Williams, who had never played in a league competition before but ended up turning out for both sides during the season, believes the success is down to the togetherness and friendly nature at the club.

She said: “There is a really nice team ethic. Sue Rees is a lovely (B team) captain, everyone is really encouraging and it’s a really nice atmosphere.

“Everyone wants to try their best.

“The first team are doing really well and they’ve been encouraging us to learn to play in the right way.

“A lot of the players in the second team hadn’t played match play games before so that was a big thing.

“It was terrifying, I was a nervous wreck. It was nice for a few of us to get through that and eventually we got hold of our nerves.”

Hughes believes the B team can continue their rise and says her side are looking forward to the challenge of competing in the top local division.

She said: “I think it’s going to be hard because we haven’t got any county players and the other teams we meet will have but we have got real strength.

“Our highest handicapper plays off 12 so we’ve got a good chance of retaining our place in the division.

“That will be our goal and it’s about doing ourselves proud.

“The B team could get as high as Division Three I think.”