Women's Captain's Blog, 27th March 2025

Considering that we were in the middle of greens maintenance week and the greens were covered in thick sand (lumpy in places), there were some good scores in for the season’s first qualifying medal on Wednesday, March 26th. The weather conditions were kind for the 30 of us playing: a heavy morning dew, which took time to dry out, and did not help the already muddy areas, but there was little or no breeze, and we enjoyed the occasional feeling of warmth in the sun.

The results were: 

Division 1

1st Helen Gilbert 71

2nd Sarah Rees 71

(and Val Weaver also had 71 but was pipped on countback)

Division 2

1st Barbara Edwards 64

2nd Ozlem Orgen 67

Division 3

1st Liz Tolton 66

2nd Shanta Balram 71

There were five two’s: Billie, Ozlem, Sarah R, Julie, and Sharon.

Very well played and many congratulations on your scores!

Four played in the 9-hole Stableford. First was Kathleen Hall with 16 points. Well done, Kathleen!

In general, the course is looking more colourful as the warmer weather of early Spring coaxes out the new leaves and shoots. But these shrubs by the 17th were looking particularly beautiful today. Photinia, I believe, but gardeners, do let me know if I’m wrong.

There have been two other competitions since last Wednesday. On Friday, March 21st, we played the Women’s Captain vs Vice Captain match. The two teams battled over 13 holes playing a Stableford Greensomes, which proved a fun format. The result was, of course, an honourable draw! After the competition, we enjoyed a jacket potato lunch with some delicious fillings and salad, followed by tea and coffee with chocs and satsumas. It was lovely to have our Women’s Pro, Nicola Bennett, playing with us. The first, I hope, of many occasions!

Then on Sunday, March 23rd, we had the first Mixed competition of the season, the Brasted Trophy played as a Foursomes. We started in dry weather but as the afternoon wore on, we experienced some annoying, penetrating, drizzly rain, and the temperature turned cooler. The winners with an excellent 36 points were Guy and Sharon Saunders; and runners-up on countback with 34 were Paul Scully and Alex Towndrow.

Very well played!  (See Men’s Vice Captain’s blog for photograph)

I just want to mention of my playing partner that day, Jack Bidmead, who played beautifully with great skill and technique. I did my best to do as I was told, particularly on the putting green, and we managed to get 40 points. Alas, we were not eligible to win the actual trophy, but it felt like a win to me!  Thanks, Jack! It was great fun!

A final reminder that Monday, March 31st is the last day to play your winter scratch ladder matches. Whoever ends up as the first name on each ladder by dusk on Monday (and don’t forget, it will be getting darker an hour later!) is a winner. As we haven’t run one of these competitions before, I welcome feedback on the idea and how it has worked (or not) for you, in case we run one again next winter.

Next Wednesday, on April 2nd, we play the April Stableford and the Golf Foundation’s Make Your Mark competition. Our fee that day goes to the Golf Foundation and the winner receives a special ball marker.

The Wednesday after, April 9th, is the Australian Spoons competition, which is open to all but only a pair with a handicap between 15 and 54 is eligible to win. Sign up for this is in 2’s.

Then on Wednesday, April 16th, we have the Veteran’s Cup, for those aged 65 and over, and an Alternate Stableford (for the young ones!).

There are Sunday alternate competitions on March 30th and April 13th; and 9-hole comps on each Wednesday.

Next Wednesday, I am hoping that there will be a publicity photoshoot after lunch of those doing the Nightingale Night Hike on Friday, May 16th.  I have entered a team of 10.  If you are still keen to do this walk, please sign up directly with The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre. Thank you.

There are still places on the Kings Cross Charity walk led by Polly Schlesinger on Monday, April 28th. Tickets are £18 and available here through the website. All the ticket money goes to the Captain’s Charity.

Last week, on the Thursday between our women’s golf competitions, and after an excellent lunch, the explorer and Guinness World Record holder, Vanessa O’Brien, came to the Club and gave us a fascinating, motivational, and inspirational talk about her experiences from climbing the highest peaks, to going down to the lowest depths of the ocean, and back up again to the edge of space, the Karman line, 100kms above the earth. Vanessa spoke fluently and powerfully of her achievements. She described herself as a Type A personality and when I looked this up, she certainly had all the characteristics! So, she gets the last words this week from her book, To the Greatest Heights: ‘Life is a messy, sprawling landscape that results from the tectonic collision of obstacle and opportunity, epic fails and occasional redemptions. You stumble. You suffer. You get up and go on.’

So, however down your golf is making you feel – get up and go on!

Alison Towndrow
Women’s Captain

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