Critchley Salver

The Critchley Salver is a one day 36 hole scratch Women’s Open, which was inaugurated in 1982 to recognise the legacy of Diana Critchley at Sunningdale Golf Club.

As Diana Fishwick she won the British Ladies Amateur Championship in 1930 at the Formby Golf Club, beating Glenna Collet the best US lady player of her day. Diana was 19 years old at the time and won the 36 hole final by 4/3.

She also played in the Curtis Cup, in 1932 at Wentworth and 1934 at Chevy Chase, Maryland. She also captained the side in 1950 at the country club of Buffalo, Williamsville, New York.

In 1938 she married Brigadier General A C Critchley and together they were influential in Sunningdale’s re-emergence after the war. In the immediate post war years the club was short of both money and members. In 1950 Diana Critchley, along with Joan Cooper and Hersey Langley, established the Ladies Section; meanwhile Brigadier General Critchley helped financially in keeping the club afloat and was later responsible for recruiting Arthur Lees to become the club professional, an act in itself that helped bring in new members.

Thereafter Diana Critchley was for many years Hon Secretary of the Ladies Section.

Since 2018 the Critchley Salver at Sunningdale has been combined with the Astor Salver at The Berkshire to create the Critchley Astor Salver. Both events are run separately with their own prizes, but the combined totals over 72 holes will qualify for the purposes of WAGR points.