Bertha Thompson

{{short description|English amateur golfer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox golfer | name = Bertha Thompson | image = | imagesize =  | caption = | fullname = Bertha Mildred Thompson | nickname = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1876|10|25|df=y}} | birth_place = Terrington, Yorkshire, England | death_date = {{Death date and age|1953|12|8|1876|10|25|df=y}} | death_place = Midhurst, Sussex, England | height =  | weight = | nationality = {{ENG}} | spouse = | children = | college = | status = Amateur | yearpro =  | retired =  | awardssection =  }} '''Bertha Mildred Thompson''' (married name Walker, 25 October 1876 – 8 December 1953) was an English amateur golfer. She won the 1905 Women's Amateur Championship at Royal Cromer and reached the final the following year. She reached the quarter-finals in 1900, 1909 and 1911. She was a regular player for England in international matches between 1899 and 1911, only missing the 1910 Women's Home Internationals, when she withdrew. The official Home Internationals started in 1905 and although she played in the event six times, she was only in the winning team once, in her final appearance in 1911.

== Golf career == Thompson played in the 1897 Women's Amateur Championship at Gullane, representing the Beverley and East Riding club. After a bye in the first round she beat Miss Bloxsom 4&3 and then Miss Lugton after a tie.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d7tEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5342%2C5216243 |title=Ladies' championship at Gullane |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=27 May 1897 |page=8}}</ref> She then lost 6&5 at the last-16 stage, to Madeline Campbell.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eLtEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3930%2C5346074 |title=The ladies' championship tournament at Gullane |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=28 May 1897 |page=11}}</ref> The 1898 championship was held at Great Yarmouth & Caister. Thompson, representing the Scarborough club, beat Mrs. Hezlet, the mother of the famous sisters, 8&6 in the first round.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ll1EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5995%2C4506195 |title=The ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=18 May 1898 |page=10}}</ref> She then lost, by one hole, to Issette Pearson in the second round.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l11EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6295%2C4630298 |title=The ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=19 May 1898 |page=10}}</ref>

Thompson traveled to Ireland to play in the 1899 championship at County Down but lost in the first round to Lottie Dod.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-flEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5404%2C3584951 |title=The ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=10 May 1899 |page=10}}</ref> A match between Ireland and England was played the day after the championship finished. Thompson played for the England team but lost by 10 holes to Rhona Adair. Despite this loss, England won six of the nine matches, winning by 37 holes to 18.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_flEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5293%2C4041100 |title=International (ladies') match: England v Ireland |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=10 |date=15 May 1899}}</ref> The 1900 championship was held at Westward Ho!. Thompson reached the quarter-finals before losing 3&2 to Molly Whigham.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iNM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=3019%2C4547520 |title=The ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=18 May 1900 |page=10}}</ref>

The 1901 championship was played at Aberdovey in Wales. An international match between England and Ireland was played before the Women's Amateur Championship. This time the result was decided by matches rather than holes, Ireland winning 5–2. As in 1899, Thompson played Rhona Adair, but this time she won her match.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83799566/the-times/ |title=The ladies' championship meeting |newspaper=The Times |page=12 |date=14 May 1901 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> She beat Jessie Magill and Maud Titterton on the second day but lost again to Issette Pearson, at the last-16 stage, on the final hole.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KrFEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4797%2C4288541 |title=Ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=16 May 1901 |page=11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=K7FEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5849%2C4371979 |title=The ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=17 May 1901 |page=8}}</ref> In 1902, at Royal Cinque Ports, a Scottish team competed for the first time in the international matches. On the first day, England beat Ireland, although Thompson lost 7&5 to May Hezlet.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83800697/the-times/ |title=Ladies' international matches |newspaper=The Times |page=13 |date=24 May 1902 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The following day England beat Scotland, Thompson halving her match with Molly Graham.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83800588/the-times/ |title=Ladies' international match |newspaper=The Times |page=11 |date=26 May 1902 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In the second round of the championship, Thompson again met May Hezlet, losing again, but this time the match was much closer, Hezlet winning by two holes.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86971139/the-times/ |title=Ladies' international match |newspaper=The Times |page=12 |date=29 May 1902 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

In 1903 at Royal Portrush there were too few Scottish players to make a team and the only international was one between Ireland and England, Ireland winning 9–1 with Thompson losing to Maud Stuart.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=79lAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4360%2C3151283 |title=Ladies' international match at Portrush |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=10 |date=2 May 1903}}</ref> Thompson met Florence Hezlet in the third round. She was dormie-three up but eventually lost the match at the 20th hole.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=89lAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4923%2C3649401 |title=The ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=12 |date=7 May 1903}}</ref> In the 1904 internationals, England beat Scotland 5–4, Ireland beat England 6–3 and Scotland beat Ireland 7–2, one match being halved in each contest. The first two matches were played at Royal Troon, the third at Prestwick. Thompson won her two matches, beating Madge Maitland and Maud Stewart.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6elAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6057%2C3661970 |title=Ladies' international match |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=13 |date=6 May 1904}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6ulAAAAAIBAJ&pg=7001%2C3776794 |title=Ladies' international matches |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=10 |date=7 May 1904}}</ref> Thompson struggled in the early rounds of the championship, winning her opening two matches at the 21st and 20th holes. She then beat Issette Pearson before losing to Lottie Dod at the last-16 stage.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7elAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3776%2C4145056 |title=Ladies' open championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=12 |date=11 May 1904}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7elAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3004%2C4286036 |title=Ladies' open championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=12 |date=12 May 1904}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7ulAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1848%2C4400582 |title=Ladies' open championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=12 |date=13 May 1904}}</ref>

The 1905 Women's Amateur Championship was held at Royal Cromer. It saw the inaugural Women's Home Internationals, teams competing for the Miller challenge trophy. Thompson lost her match against Scotland but won against Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yOlAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2231%2C6159629 |title=The ladies' internationals |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=12 |date=27 May 1905}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yelAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5257%2C6289654 |title=International ladies' match |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=13 |date=29 May 1905}}</ref> In the championship, Thompson reached the fourth round where she beat Lottie Dod 4&2.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pclAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1073%2C144432 |title=The ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=1 June 1905 |page=13}}</ref> On the third day Thompson won both her matches at extra holes. She met Margaret Curtis at the last-16 stage, winning at the 19th hole and then beat Evelyn Steel at the 20th hole.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pslAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5179%2C295298 |title=Ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=2 June 1905 |page=14}}</ref> She met Winifred Brown in the semi-finals, winning 2&1. The final was against Maud Stuart. Thompson was three up after five holes, but Stuart won the next three holes. Thompson then took a two-hole lead and won the match 3&2 after winning the 16th hole.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p8lAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1018%2C423376 |title=Ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=3 June 1905 |page=12}}</ref>

The 1906 Women's Amateur Championship was played at Burnham & Berrow. Thompson lost both her matches in the Home Internationals, to Dorothy Campbell and May Hezlet, England again finishing runners-up to Scotland.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OtNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6389%2C1413690 |title=Ladies' international tournament |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=13 |date=12 May 1906}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O9NAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5884%2C1546680 |title=Ladies championship meeting |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=12 |date=14 May 1906}}</ref> In the championship she won her early matches by large margins to reach the last-16 stage.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PdNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6858%2C1779429 |title=Ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=10 |date=16 May 1906}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PtNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5071%2C1917560 |title=Ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=12 |date=17 May 1906}}</ref> On the third day she beat two international players, Evelyn Morant, 4&3, and Violet Tynte, 5&4.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=P9NAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5787%2C2054666 |title=Ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=13 |date=18 May 1906}}</ref> In the semi-finals she beat Amy Sumpter, winning 3&2 after being five up at the turn. In the final she met Alice Kennion. The match was level after 10 holes but Thompson hurt her thumb and lost the match 4&3.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QNNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6718%2C2188369 |title=Ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=19 May 1906 |page=11}}</ref>

The 1907 championship was played at County Down. Wales played in the Home Internationals for the first time. Ireland won all their matches to win the title with England runners-up. Thompson lost to Florence Walker-Leigh but won her other two matches.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Vvw9AAAAIBAJ&pg=4615%2C480753 |title=Ladies' international matches |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=10 |date=4 May 1907}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Vvw9AAAAIBAJ&pg=4629%2C604546 |title=Ladies championship meeting |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=12 |date=6 May 1907}}</ref> She reached the last-16 but lost again to Walker-Leigh.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2tNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2028%2C1131759 |title=Ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=10 May 1907 |page=13}}</ref> In 1908 the championship was played on the Old Course at St Andrews. In the internationals Thompson lost two of her three matches, to Florence Hezlet and Dorothy Campbell.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=weBAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5841%2C1889431 |title=Ladies' open championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=12 |date=16 May 1908}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wuBAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4042%2C2031416 |title=Ladies' open championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=14 |date=18 May 1908}}</ref> She again reached the last-16 in the championship, losing to Maud Titterton by one hole.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xuBAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2169%2C2583363 |title=Ladies' open championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=22 May 1908 |page=14}}</ref> The 1909 championship was held at Birkdale. In the internationals she lost again to Dorothy Campbell and then to Blanche Duncan of Wales.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a89AAAAAIBAJ&pg=6371%2C1698408 |title=Ladies international tournament |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=12 |date=15 May 1909}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bM9AAAAAIBAJ&pg=1344%2C1832479 |title=Ladies international |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=13 |date=17 May 1909}}</ref> In the championship she beat Hilda Mather in the last-16, at the final hole, but lost 3&2 to Florence Hezlet in the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cM9AAAAAIBAJ&pg=4411%2C2370142 |title=Ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=21 May 1909 |page=14}}</ref>

Thompson was selected for the home internationals in 1910, but withdrew, and then lost at an early stage in the championship.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7MtAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3244%2C7248234 |title=Ladies' championship meeting |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=14 |date=29 April 1910}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qPo9AAAAIBAJ&pg=4357%2C498947 |title=Ladies' championship meeting |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=9 |date=5 May 1910}}</ref> In 1911 Wales were unable to raise a team for the internationals at Royal Portrush. England won both their matches to win the title for the first time since it was officially started in 1905. Thompson beat Mabel Harrison but lost to Elsie Grant Suttie, in her final appearance in the internationals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cc1AAAAAIBAJ&pg=2840%2C1645636 |title=Ladies' international tournament |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=15 |date=13 May 1911}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cs1AAAAAIBAJ&pg=1063%2C1766286 |title=Ladies' championship meeting |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=13 |date=15 May 1911}}</ref> She reached the quarter-finals of the championship, losing to Violet Hezlet. In her last-16 match against Canadian Violet Pooley, she was six down after 10 holes but then won seven holes in a row and halved the last, to win the match.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ds1AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M6YMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3264%2C2298297 |title=Lady golfers at Portrush |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=9 |date=19 May 1911}}</ref>

Thompson withdrew from the 1912 championship.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tg8-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5251%2C1877764 |title=The lady golfers at Turnberry |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=9 |date=15 May 1912}}</ref> In 1913 she lost in the first round, while in 1914 she reached the third round before losing 7&5 to Florence Bourn.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A8ZAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3784%2C4122283 |title=Ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=14 |date=3 June 1913}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Rd5AAAAAIBAJ&pg=1419%2C1590525 |title=Ladies' championship |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=15 |date=13 May 1914}}</ref>

==Personal life== Thompson was born in October 1876 in Terrington, Yorkshire, the daughter of George Arthur Thompson and his wife Dora {{nee}} Cayley.<ref>{{cite news |title=Births |work=Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer |date=28 October 1876 |page=1 |access-date=12 October 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000686/18761028/002/0001 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription}}</ref> George Thompson died in November 1908, Dora in April 1931.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=walker&yearOfDeath=1952&page=16#calendar |publisher=probatesearch.service.gov.uk |title=Find a will |access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=thompson&yearOfDeath=1931&page=3#calendar |publisher=probatesearch.service.gov.uk |title=Find a will |access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref> He was in the 12th Royal Lancers but in 1882 was elected Registrar of Wills and Deeds for the East Riding of Yorkshire, a position he held until two or three years before his death, when the position was taken over by the county council .<ref>{{cite news |title=Mr. George Arthur Thompson |work=Hull Daily Mail |date=28 November 1908 |page=5 |access-date=12 October 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19081128/079/0005 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Thompson married John Harry Walker on 30 June 1914.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marriage of Mr. J. Walker & Miss Bertha Thompson |work=Ripon Observer |date=2 July 1914 |page=8 |access-date=12 October 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003092/19140702/117/0008 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription}}</ref> John Walker died in March 1952, while Bertha died in December 1953.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=walker&yearOfDeath=1952&page=16#calendar |publisher=probatesearch.service.gov.uk |title=Find a will |access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=walker&yearOfDeath=1954&page=4#calendar |publisher=probatesearch.service.gov.uk |title=Find a will |access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref>

==Team appearances== *Women's Home Internationals (representing England): 1899, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911 (winners)

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Bertha}} Category:English female golfers Category:Amateur golfers Category:People from Terrington Category:1876 births Category:1953 deaths

Bertha Thompson

Connections

Linked from

Links to (30 total)