Ella Crang completes memorable double and reinvigorates love for golf at Seaton Carew
Darlington-born golfer Ella Crang has completed a stunning summer double, landing the Club Championship at Seaton Carew Golf Club for the first time just weeks after being crowned Ladies Durham County Champion.
The 27-year-old edged out Deb Frankland on a dramatic countback to secure the coveted title on the historic Seaton links.
The victory caps off a remarkable return to form for Crang, who joined the club less than two years ago to rediscover her passion for the game.
After posting an opening round of 84 and a superb 77 on day two, Crang finished the competition 17-over-par. The highlight of her opening round was a spectacular eagle on the par-four fourth hole.
She said: “I don’t think I have ever eagled a four before. A hybrid down the middle of the fairway got me well placed, and then with the pin at the front on the left, I used a little bump and run nine-iron and it went straight in.”
Despite the strong start, struggles on the 10th and 17th holes left her two shots behind Frankland heading into Friday.
“On Friday I didn’t put much pressure on myself. I wanted to play steady and enjoy it,” she recalled. “Debs is good company and was playing well too. She had a two-shot lead over me.
“I shot five-over on the second round, birdied on 12, and finished bogey-bogey.
“I actually thought I had lost it on the last hole, so I was surprised when we went in and had shot the same. It went on countback, and I won it on the last round.”
The triumph is incredibly timely for Crang. A highly talented junior who has represented Durham County since she was 12, she once had an opportunity to play in the USA but opted to study primary education at Northumbria University instead.
Now, having worked in a North-East school for six years, finding the right work-life balance has been crucial.
“The stresses of work and long hours meant I found it hard to play a lot initially,” said Crang.
“But over the last couple of years, my time is becoming more manageable. I wanted to challenge myself and my own golf. Moving here was more to get back into loving the game, and it has definitely happened.”
Crang’s journey to becoming a Seaton Carew member actually began with her first County Championship win on the exact same links in 2022, a victory that “encouraged me to join because I loved it so much,” she said.
Earlier this summer, Crang proved her pedigree by claiming the County Championship for a second time at Brancepeth Castle, impressively playing every single match and beating Kayla Hall 3&2 in the final.
Reflecting on her latest victory in the Seaton summer sunshine, Crang praised the pristine condition of the historic course.
“The weather was really nice for the two days and the course couldn’t have played any better,” she said.
“It was very challenging as always. You had to pick your spots. It is nice to win at such a prestigious golf club which has hosted many golf championships and is ranked in the top 100 in England. Now my name is on the board, which is nice.”
And Crang, who also helped her ladies team win the Durham Ladies Anderson 2 League this year, now wants the focus to remain simple.
She said: “I am just enjoying my golf again. I am playing for enjoyment and to play again without trying to do this or that. And this win shows that I am doing something right.”
