Women's Captain's Blog, 17th April 2025

Wednesday was a blustery day with a surprising chill to the wind. It didn’t, however, daunt 36 highly competitive women from competing in two challenges: one for the Veteran’s Cup for those over 65; and the other for the Alternate Stableford. After amalgamating the Sunday players, there were 21 for the Vets and 23 for the Stableford.

There are various ways of showing the scores: for the competitions as a whole; and by divisions.  The full summary is on IG. Many congratulations to all those listed here, and more:

Overall winner of the Vets Cup: Umar Annaradnam 39 points

Runner Up of Vets Cup: Gwyneth Bennett 35 points

Overall winner of the Alternate Stableford: Gaye Illsley 42 points

Runner Up of Stableford: Sharon Saunders 38 points

Vets Cup Divisional Winners:

Division 1 - Umar Annaradnam 39 points
Division 2 - Jane Majer 30 points
Division 3 - Gwyneth Bennett 35 points

Alternate Stableford Divisional Winners:  

Division 1 - Sharon Saunders 38 points
Division 2 - Christina Mann 35 points
Division 3 - Gaye Illsley 42 points

Congratulations also to Anneka Vestey who scored 41 points in the Alternate Stableford but has not yet got her qualifying cards.

Five took part in the 9-hole Stableford, with Frances Chapman and Rita Kapur both getting 17.  Well done!

The course had easily soaked up the rain of Tuesday, apart from an enigmatic puddle to the left of the long bunker in front of the 8th green.  It gave me a Vicar of Dibley moment as I contemplated testing its depth! (I resisted!) The greens were mixed but getting better.

Neither the rain nor the wind had damaged our wonderful blossom too much, although this photograph was taken Sunday morning in the sunshine, before the mixed Spring Trophy which was accompanied by rather mixed weather.

Sharon and Guy Saunders won the Spring Trophy, the second mixed trophy they have won recently. Could there be a third to come!?  Watch for the results of the Maytime Greensomes on Sunday, May 18th. (See the Club Captain’s blog for a photo)

The Pearson team have now completed all their matches for 2024/25, the last one being a loss to Ealing. There has been some tough competition this year.  Congratulations and well done to all those who have played in the matches, representing our Club, and to Umar for organising. 

Next week on Wednesday, April 23rd, we have the April Medal; and on the following Wednesday, April 30th (how can it be nearly the end of April?!), we have a multiple competition. We have the Bushguarders Cup, the May Stableford and the Unleash Your Drive competition. 

For the Bushguarders Cup, only Divisions 1 and 2 are eligible to win; the Stableford includes Divisions 1, 2 and 3; and Unleash Your Drive includes all those with a playing handicap of up to 54. The categories are slightly different so results for UYD will be published manually. This third competition is organised by the Golf Foundation and our entry fees will go to the Golf Foundation national charity, which works closely with partners to deliver golf to new faces across the UK, and to change lives through the power of golf. They help golf clubs grow their junior influence, help to deliver golf into primary and secondary schools, and work with impoverished communities and areas to help make a real impact, using golf to help mental well-being.

Our Spring Meeting is on Wednesday, May 7th.  There is no alternate on the Sunday nor a 9-hole comp that week, as we play an afternoon comp as well as a morning one. The morning is a Medal played in pairs for Divisions 1 and 2 only, so when sign up opens (on April 23rd), you sign up in pairs. Divisions 1, 2 and 3 can play in teams of four in the afternoon 9-hole competition (holes 2 to 10). You need to sign up as a 4 and the Administrator will give you an afternoon time slot.

A sandwich lunch can be ordered in the morning to eat between comps and there will be a list in the Locker Room.

There is already a sign-up list on the noticeboard for the meal afterwards. Any playing member past or present is welcome to attend the meal and to take part in the official opening of the summer season, together with a prize giving. If you have been a winner over the last few months, please do come if you can.

A mini nag about cards being submitted for handicap! Please ensure that they are correctly filled in and legible. If the cards cannot be easily deciphered, then they will be discarded, and that card cannot be counted. Please do not waste your hard-earned efforts in doing a card by submitting it with mistakes or making it illegible.  Thank you.

There are still a few places on the Kings Cross Walk, led by Polly Schlesinger of the C20 Society on Monday, April 28th. Tickets are £18, available on IG, and all the money goes to the Captain’s Charity, The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre.

Today some of us (and many thanks to those who did) took part in a publicity photo for the Nightingale Cancer Support Night Hike on Friday, 16 May. If anyone is still interested in participating in the Night Hike, please sign up directly on the Nightingale website.

Although last year’s winner, Scottie Scheffler, may have been the favourite for the Masters last weekend, after a nail-biting finish between Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy, Rory walked away with the trophy and the green jacket. He is only the sixth male player in history to achieve the grand slam – and the first European. So, Rory has (almost) the last word: ’… I started to wonder if it would ever be my time…I’m absolutely honoured, thrilled and proud to be able to call myself a masters Champion. My dreams have been made today.’

Well done, Rory! What an achievement! We try to realise our own dreams each time we play….  Happy golfing!

Alison Towndrow
Women’s Captain

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