"PLAY the course and beat the grass" - a mantra that helped Jane Shiels gallop to Fulford Rose Bowl glory.

The Aldwark Manor Golf Club player fired a nett 74 at Easingwold to edge past the Malton & Norton pair of Pat Ruddock and Pat Hague on back-nine countback in the prestigious York Union of Golf Clubs tournament.

Shiels, who has a 28 handicap, has only been playing golf for six years - having previously been involved in horse carriage driving.

But she now joins the likes of three-time Curtis Cup player Emma Brown, former York champion Louise Secker and professional golfer Charlotte Austwick in having her name etched onto the trophy.

“I started playing golf in 2010 - I was a horse person prior to that and I used to do carriage driving, so this is a change,” she said.

“I’ve won a few little club things and one major at Thirsk & Northallerton, where I was a member before, but this is the first big thing.”

The field of 45 found the going a little tough, with heavy downpours the previous day having softened the cours.

Shiels, who was presented with the trophy by Union president Neil Bellamy, added that her success had left her speechless.

“It was a bit wet and I am not really very experienced," she said. "My ball just died a bit and I got a few sixes. I just carried on playing. My mind is ‘play the course and I’ve got to beat the grass’.

“I am speechless. I really can’t believe it. It’s a very nice trophy and lots of people talk about it so I am over the moon.

“It’s not really the winning. It’s going out there and playing because I can, and trying very hard. I always try and beat my last score - and that’s my attitude.”