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  • Keep up to date with the latest ladies golf clothing from www.ladygolfer.uk.com
  • News from ladies golfing in the UK
  • My diary as Lady Captain of Tewkesbury Park Golf Club
November 2010
8 November and the date of our AGM when I handed over the Lady Captain's baton to my Vice Captain, Pauline Murphy. I am sure Pauline will bring new ideas to the captaincy.

I do have mixed emotions because I did enjoy being Lady Captain but feel that it is time to give up my car space to the incoming Lady Captain.  I must now remember where I have parked my car and also to remember to sign up on the competition tee sheet !! 

I have been told I did a good job and now look forward to being a Past Lady Captain.

(My tips for new LC's: Communication is key but remember to have fun and your ladies will enjoy themselves too).

(If you want to download a very helpful booklet for incoming Lady Captains or Committee Members click here for details.)
We had much to celebrate at our Alliance dinner on 4th.

Our B Team gained promotion to the 2nd division of the Gloucestershire County Alliance League and our A Team managed a creditable 4th position in the First Division.

Penny Ashbridge, B Team Captain, proudly holds the trophy and shield surrounded by some of the B Team Squad.

Not to be outdone, some of the A Team squad pose for their end of season photo too. Karen Laughlin our A Team Captain is on the far right of the picture.

Both results are really extraordinary because we only have about 30 playing ladies in our section but we really are a commited bunch of players.   We are only excused not to play if we are sick or out of the country!!

We have a lot of fun though and all enjoy our Monday Alliance matches.

"Purple" seems to be the "in" colour this season!

October 2010
Well done to Colin Montgomerie, and his European team for winning the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.   This has put the icing on the cake for my year as Lady Captain.  Not sure Monty realised that he had added pressure to win from me!!

Unfortunately, I didn't see Monday's singles play live because our Alliance A Team had to play their last match away at Minchinhampton on the afternoon of the 4th October.   

Our A Team Captain, Karen Laughlin, nearly had a walk-out because the team didn't want to play! In the end, our match score was halved and Tewkesbury Park has come 4th in the 1st Division.
Photo from BBC Sport.
The "Friendly Team" ladies had their end of season lunch on 8 October.   

Sally Morgan, Team Captain, was given a bouquet of flowers by the ladies as a thank you for organising the matches throughout the summer.   The ladies do seem to enjoy themselves playing other courses all over the county.   

I'm not sure what the final match score was but who cares...........as long as you enjoy a good game of golf with the ladies from other clubs.   I played in one match because Sally was "desperate!!"
On 9 October I turned back time and became a screaming teanager again.   It was Mr Bublé's fault.    I went to the NIA in Birmingham, along with thousands of other people, to see Michael Bublé in concert.   Michael has been on tour all over the world and after enjoying his concert earlier in the year on 14th May at the LG arena, and just like a star struck schoolgirl, I was determined to see him again, which I did this month. Michael's first concert in May was a sell out and this extra performance was held due to popular demand by the British public.

This time, I was also prepared for his foray into the packed audience and managed to get within touching distance (oooooooh!) and to take the photograph on the right of Michael singing to his adoring fans.   Michael does give an excellent performance and if you need reminding of his songs, visit his own website http://www.michaelbuble.com.   

He's lovely..........
31st October and I combine my "Thank You" to my committee and lady helpers with a Birthday supper evening. Yes, Halloween was the day on which I was born many, many moons ago!   I booked my local village hall at Norton and we enjoyed a curry supper followed by a bit of karaoke.   I am very lucky because my partner Martyn is a trained chef and together with his Sister, Chris, who was a tremondous help on the night, not only provided the food but are quite partial to a spot of karaoke.

Luckily after the meal the microphone was snatched from Martyn's grasp and many renditions were heard, not always in the right key but sang with gusto nevertheless!  
September 2010
First day of September saw our Open Ladies Invitation Greensomes.   The day proved to be gloriously warm and sunny so even if some of the scores didn't win, the sun brought out smiling faces.   Wendy Baldwin invited Sue Brimble from Cotswold Hills to be her greensomes partner and they won with 42 points from Jane Wearing (Sonning) and Val Wilkinson with 40 pts.

My partner and I, Judy Thomas from Cotswold Hills won nearest the pin in 2 on the 18th, so we were happy!   
Pictured on left: LC presents Sue with the Salver and Wendy smiles broadly. (Sue looks as though she is making sure it is silver!)

Teams of ladies sip glasses of Pimms in the sun on the verandah after their game of golf.
 
Monday 13th was my Lady Captain's Away Day when a group of ladies visited Chipping Sodbury Golf Course.   Unfortunately the weather was damp with a brisk wind but it didn't deter the ladies from enjoying a 3 ball Am/Am with a "Wet Ball" competition running alongside.  

Before playing, the Ladies had to guess the total number of balls that would get wet in the numerous ponds and streams dotted around the course.   We blame the strengthening winds on the number of balls getting wet - 42 in total !!

Everyone agreed that although challenging, Chipping Sodbury is a lovely course and I intend to play it again on a sunnier day.


Sue is embarrassed by my announcement to the ladies - see right.
I was in the first team and imagine my horror when Team Captain Sue Rawles exclaimed that the Club had forgotton the "nearest the pin" notice on the par 3. After a call on the mobile to the Pro Shop we realised that it was the next Par 3 for nearest the pin.  

As noone landed on the green at the correct hole all day, much to everyone's amusement (and as Sue had landed on the incorrect green near the flag,) I awarded her the prize!

The winning team was (pictured l - r) Barbara Dyas, (who made a lengthy winning speech!), Sally Morgan and Gwynne Clingan.

Sunday 19th saw 16 ladies descending on Woodbury Park Golf Course for our annual Business Ladies Away trip.  We played for our tournament Vase on the Sunday (Glo Slatter won) and the following day played better ball in teams of 4.   Needless to say we had a great time.   However, "What goes on Tour, stays on Tour!"   That is, apart from the photographs which I aim to publish in my Lady Captain's album at the end of the year!!   Too risqué to publish here on the website though!
For previous years' "Away" photos click here.
Sara Foster bought along a fabulous pink wig and persuaded Sue Lockwood that "You look gorgeous Dhahling..."!!
We had fun with the oranges later on...........

Tewkesbury Park Golf Club was chosen to host the Lady Marling Silver and Bronze County competition on Wednesday 22nd. 126 ladies from other clubs around the County took part.   Tewkesbury Park was later congratulated by Gillian Merry, the County Hon. Secretary of Gloucestershire Ladies' County Golf, for the good organisation of the Ladies' Section ensuring the day ran smoothly. The Green Staff were also thanked for presenting the course in good condition, as were the Bar Staff for working tirelessly from 7.30 am to late evening.

Jenny Williams from Tewkesbury Park won the Lady Marling Bronze Cup and the Gross Cup.  Jenny will now be called "Two Cups Williams!"

Sue Tamblyn, on the 5th hole who was one of the "Spotters". 
The sun shone and not too many balls went astray.
Mike Slatter, one of the Starters, with Sue Reeve, County Captain who came 2nd in the Gross Silver Division and Angela Short from Minchinhampton. Pictured here on the left is Di Honey, County President who presented the prize to Jenny.   Di was our Lady Captain when I first joined TP back in 1992 and I was a bit afraid of her .......then!  

Many Congratulations Jenny.

(The Lady Marling Silver was won by Karen Beaumont Wraith from The Park and the Silver Gross Cup by Corrinne Durber from Cotswold Edge GC.)
   
Wednesday 29th saw the last big event of my Captaincy, The Autumn Trophy.   I must have been "demob happy" because I won with a stableford score of 41 points. This brings my handicap down to 11 and unfortunately this may have to be my "Winter" handicap!!   Oh bliss........hard enough to reach the greens at Tewkesbury Park in two during the Summer let alone in the Winter months!

Pam Burroughes, competition secretary, presents me with the Salver.   I was delighted of course to win in my year but my winning speech was not good.   In my exuberance I forgot to thank my playing partner, Jean, my helpers on the day and all sorts of things..........

August 2010
Tewkesbury Park held their McCarthy Vase Mixed Open on 1st and the winners of the trophy were Alan and Karen Laughlin with a nett score of 65 points from their playing partners Barbara and Mel Hemmings.

Karen is certainly having a good year as she won our Club Championship and is usually in the prizes.   I think though as it was a better ball competition Alan, pictured on the right, played a part as well..........anyway, that's what he said!!
 
I held my Lady Captain's Day on 11th with the theme being "Luck".   

The ladies played for the main individual stableford prize and also played "Golf Bingo" a team game.    This is quite a fun competition and the aim is to achieve as many challenges as possible that is given on the team card.    For instance there are challenges such as having a birdie on a par 3 etc., getting a par 4, to other tasks which we don't intend to do, such as a player in the team fails to get out of a bunker at first attempt, or a player hits a ball out of bounds etc.   The Bingo card can be customised to suit your own golf course.

Pictured left: Barbara Paxman receiving the Lady Captain's trophy with an individual score of 38 points.

Below L - R: Barbara Hemmings, Jean Marshall and Ann Woodward receive a prize for coming last in Golf Bingo which should bring them luck for next time!!

On the day, I drove around the course interrupting play in my buggy, tastefully decorated with lucky fluffy dice and a Good Luck balloon.
 
After the rigours of my Lady Captain's day I enjoyed a few days away on a golfing break holiday.   First we played at Rushmore Golf Club situated on the borders of Dorset and Wiltshire.   A beautiful course set out in a parkland estate with mature trees, open areas with strategically placed large ponds and if you are lucky, you can spot a deer or two.  

I stayed at the King John Inn and, the next night, at a luxurious Bed and Breakfast owned by Josephine Browning.   Sarunds Cottage (Right) is a converted barn in the grounds of Sarunds House, a Georgian Farmhouse dating back to the 18th century, set in the peaceful village of Farnham, Dorset. Click here for details.
The next couple of days were spent at Meyrick Park, Bournemouth.   Meyrick Park situated in the heart of Bournemouth, is a historic golf course which was established in 1894. Complimenting the course is a clubhouse which houses state of the art health club facilities and The Lodge which offers comfortable accommodation.   The course is set in 120 acres of undulating scenic parkland and is well worth a visit.   Very reasonable prices too !
Whilst I was away on the golfing break I discovered that Neil Stuke had been knocked out of Celebrity Master Chef !!  I wanted him to win because he is my cousin on my Father's side.   Neil started his TV career with "Game On".   One of his many numerous TV appearances was CJ in Reggie Perrin (seen here with Martin Clunes in a scene from the series).
I think there is a family resemblence to Neil in my son Graham (pictured below left).

Traditionally held on a Bank Holiday Monday, the Bingham Wilson Bucket (named after the trophy which is an ice bucket) was held at Tewkesbury Park on the 30th. The competition is a mixed greensomes with a draw for partners.

Marcia Macfarlane and Dean Mansfield were last minute entrants to make up a pair and were delighted to win the competition with 44 pts. As having not entered a mixed competition at TP before, as Marcia put it "we were virgins!!"


Tragically, Steve Hudman, husband of Fiona one of our lady members, died on the evening of 30th after a very short illness. Steve was Fiona's biggest fan and used to caddy for her whenever possible. The last time he caddied for Fiona was when she played for Gloucestershire County Ladies against Hereford & Worcestershire on 18th April (see below).  Steve's funeral was held at Tewkesbury Abbey on 9th September with many of their supporters, friends and family in attendance.
July 2010
The month started off well with an excellent win for the ladies when they played the Seniors on 1st .   This is a very hotly contested match as you can imagine but we (I say that loosely as I was away on holiday in Kefalonia for the week and my Vice Captain, Pauline, was in charge) beat the men 6 - 4.   Everyone, I am reliably informed, enjoyed themselves........especially the ladies!!
The Vets Salver was held on 7th and again we enjoyed the spell of warm dry weather.  Pam Bond won the trophy with 40 pts.  A good day was enjoyed by all.
My cat Lucy is now
"Mole Watcher Extraordinaire".   Because of the dry weather conditions I have been watering my small garden and now a mole has taken up residence.   Lucy spends hours staring at the mole's diggings!!
 
A highlight of Cirencester Golf Clubs centenery celebrations was the My Fair Lady themed day organised by Lady Captain Helen Landau and attended by the lady captains of 16 leading Gloucestershire Golf Clubs held on 8th.

With a lady captain on each team of three, 16 teams set out to play a Dubai Bowmaker format.

The winning team, of past lady captain of Cirencester, Ann Williams, Val Wills , captain of Cotswold Hills and Helen Landau scored 83 points.

I won the longest drive and prizes for nearest the pin were handed out to Sheila Marsh and Margaret Davy.

.

After the golf, the club house took on the appearance of the royal enclosure at Ascot as the ladies entered into the spirit of the day by sporting their best outfits and stylish hats and helping raise money for Marie Curie. Hats off to the ladies who entered the competition for " best hat". On this occasion originality came to the fore with a "Birdie Tree" hat sported by Cathy Long of Burford winning
 
Karen Laughlin and I played on 21st in The Rolls of Monmouth Open 4bbb Competition on 21st and to our delight we came first with 39 points.   The Rolls of Monmouth is a beautiful course set in rolling hills and sometimes you are lucky to see the deer wandering across the fairways.  Well worth a visit.
June 2010
The month of June began sadly with the funeral of Tommy Gardner who was an Honorary Member of Tewkesbury Park.    Tommy had been an active member of Tewkesbury Park for over 35 years and played a big part in coaching the Juniors. Tommy had a big passion for Tewkesbury Park Golf Club and we will miss him.
On 2 June Tewkesbury Park were host to the South West Schools Championships held over 36 holes.  The girls and boys played in near perfect conditions with no wind and the sun shining brightly. Pictured in the group right is Sue Rawles, National Referee who officiated that day.   One incident in which Sue was asked for advice was when a ball landed in play next to an "out of Bounds" white marker post.   The player was advised that even though the marker post impeded his swing, he was not allowed to remove the post without penalty and had to play the ball as it lies without receiving a free drop, unless of course he wished to take a penalty drop.  Did you know that?
Pictured L- R Katie Thompson (Hants) Megan Illingworth (Somerset) Sue Rawles and Michaela Chivers (Somerset)
Katie Thompson tees off from the 3rd hole par 5 with the view of Tewkesbury Abbey in the distance.
Michelle proudly holds her baby, Oliver Christopher Hooke, on the day of his Christening at Forthampton Church on 6th June.   Oliver took the whole service in his stride and did not flinch when he was christened at the font with the holy water.    Oliver is the spitting image of Martin, his father, but I am not sure Martin would look as cute as his son in the hat!!

Michelle is taking time off from playing golf for the moment but we hope to see her back on our fairways soon.   
Karen Laughlin won Tewkesbury Park's Club Championship on 9th June with me as runner-up.   Luckily the heavy thundery rain did not materialise and we managed to play the 36 holes without incident. (L-R Karen holds the trophy presented to her by Dorothy Nichol on behalf of Lois Thorpe the donator of the Vase, who sadly died last year.)   Carole Greenup won the Nett Salver with Denise Clayson in second place.

As a thank you to my Vice Captain Pauline, who is an avid football supporter and season ticket holder for Cheltenham Town FC, I thought it appropriate to give her something to wear whilst watching the World Cup on TV!!
 
As many as 20,000 visitors descended on Throckmorton Air Field, Evesham on Sunday 13th to enjoy the many attractions as part of the annual event in aid of Help for Heroes.
Attractions on the day included aerial displays and fly pasts, a performance from the West Mercia and RAF police dogs and handlers, a demonstration by the army bomb disposal squad, the Royal Marines display team and numerous police and military vehicles. In a first for the event, famous faces from fly on the wall police series Road Wars, Traffic Cops, Motorway Cops, Police Interceptors and Sky Cops attended.

A very enjoyable day out.
My son Sgt. Glen Williams, holds his son Ross (aged 6) a budding Policeman, with Mum Catherine and daughter Hannah (aged 8 going on 18).

Left picture shows me in "Glen's car" giving a "turning right" hand-signal that is lost on anyone young - all the hand signals they seem to know now-a-days are rude !!
I think my Grandson is about to book me!
May 2010
The Mixed Bank Holiday Social was a successful day with drawn mixed pairs playing better ball on the San Lorenzo course. Unfortunately, we didn't go abroad to play the game but we had San Lorenzo score cards instead. It was quite strange scoring for a par 3 on a par 4 etc., but good fun!   

The winners were Alan Laughlin and Val Wilkinson (left) with 43 pts, 2nd were Marcia Macfarlane and Mike Viall (right) on 41 pts on c/b from Linda and Clive Wilkinson. Thank you to Sara and Mike for organizing the event
   
Tewkesbury Park held its Ladies Open AmAm on 19th May.   There was a field of 80 with ladies from other clubs competing.   The day was very successful thanks to the weather and the good organisation by the hotel and our ladies section, especially Pam Burroughs and Denise Clayson.  The winners were L-R Barbara Eaton (Lilleybrook), Glo Slatter (Tewkesbury Park), Gay Pope (Cotswold Hills) and Sally Hadley (Cirencester) with 82 points.  

I enjoyed the day, our team was not placed but I got an eagle on the par 4 second hole!!
(Picture taken by photographer Terry Linden who will attend any golfing event and takes great pictures. View his website for details)

"The Gloucestershire County season starts with a win for Tewkesbury Park Team comprising Denise Clayson, Christine Williams and Karen Laughlin winning the Spring Bowmaker held at Lilley Brook Golf Club on May 5th.

This was the opening competition of the County’s 2010 season with 150 ladies, 50 teams of three, enjoying the Spring blossom for which Lilley Brook is rightly famous.
Second with a score of 72 points, four shots behind the winners, were Corrinne Durber, Pat Waring and Ilse Russell from Cotswold Edge, with the Minchinhampton (New) team, Angela Short, Fiona Wigglesworth and Sue Heathcote, third on 71.   But spare a thought for the Broadway team of Pat Righton, Chris Moulder and Pam Hooper. They started in the morning and waited for the presentations knowing that, with a score of 69, they were in with a shout for the prizes….. that is, until the final team, the winners, posted their score of 76!"..........

The above is an extract from the Gloucestershire County Ladies website. I must admit, we thought that after the first 3 holes in which we had a team total of only 3 points we would never be in the running.   Needless to say, we had an amazing back nine to come in with the winning score!!



L-R: County President Di Honey with Tewkesbury Park Team, Denise Clayson, Christine Williams and Karen Laughlin
April 2010
Easter weekend was full of heavy April showers and on Saturday 3rd our Mixed Friendly Match away at St Pierre, Chepstow looking like being washed out.   Luckily, it stopped raining and even though the conditions were very wet underfoot, we enjoyed a great day with Tewkesbury Park losing 5 - 3.    A delicious evening meal and good company made up for our loss.
Easter Monday 5th was the traditional day on which we hold our qualifying round of The Bader Cup with the winners going on to represent our Club at the regional final. The winners were Alan and Karen Laughlin 39pts (pictured left), 2nd Andy and Carol Greenup 38 pts., 3rd Martin Wilks and Sue Lockwood 36 pt c/b and 4th Mike Viall and Sara Foster 36 pts.
Friday 9th was the day on which I took photographs of all the new summer stock for my clothing website www.ladygolfer.uk.com
 My model, Glo, was as good as gold as usual and is still waiting for her reward of a cheque which is still in the post!

Trouble is, I do the photoshoot at Glo's farmhouse and her two dogs seem to want to get in the picture all the time.  As you can see, they are rather large and I don't want to annoy them by shushing them out of the way!

Visit www.ladygolfer.uk.com for the new range of summer golf clothes from Daily Sports, Glenmuir and Ping.
Mon 12th saw the first of the Alliance matches in the Gloucestershire County League with our A team losing to Cirencester away 4 - 14 and sadly I was one of the losers! Early days yet.
On Sunday 18th Tewkesbury Park hosted the 1st Team match Gloucestershire County Ladies Match v Worcestershire & Herefordshire Ladies.  

Sue Reeve, Captain of Gloucestershire County Ladies, reported afterwards ....... "A simply glorious day for our friendly match against Worcestershire was matched by the warmth of the hospitality shown by Tewkesbury Park and especially by their Ladies’ Captain Christine Williams & Glo Slatter, County Delegate, who, with the support of the Ladies’ Section, greeted us all with complimentary tea and coffee. A clash with other tournaments, various injuries and university studies had all resulted in a severely depleted 1st team. However I was very proud of my girls who fought tooth and nail in every match against stronger opposition........"   Click here to read the full report and results posted on the GLCGLA website.

 

On the left, the ladies wait patiently to tee off on the 1st.

Right picture, from righthand, Sue Rawles International referee & member of TP, moi, Glo Slatter, and Di Honey, President of Gloucs County Ladies.
The 5th green looks a picture bathed in the afternoon Spring sunshine.

Sue Reeve, Captain of the Gloucestershire team gives a congratulatory kiss to Fiona's caddy and husband Steve.  The hard work was done by Fiona Hudman from TP who plays off a handicap of 7 and who had a marvellous win with a birdie putt on the 18th to beat her opponent who plays off 4.



Tragically, Steve Hudman died on 30 August 2010 after a very short illness.   Our thoughts go out to Fiona.
April 15th saw all flights in and out of the UK and several other European countries being suspended as ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland moved south.   This volcano called Eyjafjallajoekull (I noticed that the newsreaders steered away from pronouncing the name!!) caused disruption all over the UK and europe.   Almost everyone in our ladies section knew of someone that had been affected by the 6 day flight ban and there were hair raising stories being told when finally stranded ladies arrived back in the UK from abroad.
The Spring Meeting on 28th April was my first main event of the year as Lady Captain.   The weather was kind and there was a good turnout by the ladies.

Maria Burton (on the right) won The Thomas Cup in the morning with a best nett score of 71. Best gross was Glo Slatter with 85 points. The runner up to the The Thomas Cup was Val Wilkinson (left) who came first in the Bronze division with a nett 72. This was a good achievement considering she has only just joined the Club and attained her handicap.

March 2010
Tewkesbury Park's first qualifier of the season was the March Hare, won by Fiona Hudman with 37 points which brought her handicap down to an exact 7.

The trophy of a bronze statue of a hare was donated by Fiona for the competition when it first started last year. Fiona thought of the competition when she first saw a white hare on the golf course.   We haven't seen the white hare for a year but we have several other hares on the course which are quite tame.  (See under October for a sunbathing hare!)

So Horace the hare, as he has been named, is going home!

   
The Business Ladies enjoying their evening meal at the local Indian restaurant in Tewkesbury.   They are looking forward to this summer's Business Ladies Friendly matches.
A match was held on Monday 8th with FE golf students from Hartpury College.  The pairings were of a lady and a lad playing better ball matchplay against another similar pairing.   The boys were charming and they didn't seem to mind playing with a lady who was of similar age to their mother or granny!   We hope we will see some of the lads turn professional in the future.  They certainly have good appetites for Pizzas which were laid on by the Ladies Section after the game!
Tewkesbury Park beat The Wiltshire on 5th March Away in the second round of the Mail on Sunday National Golf Classic competition.
On 28th March we played our third round match against Cotswold Hills at home.   Click here to find out the result.
February 2010
At last we have been able to get out onto the golf course which is in remarkable condition considering the weather the UK experienced in January.

For the start of the month the ladies had a matchplay competition called "Blondes versus Brunettes".   The blonde team was one short and Mike Unwin our Pro donned a visor with blonde wig and played against Denise Clayson.  Unfortunately even though Denise had equalisation shots and courtesy shots "Michaela" won for the blondes who won overall!!
(Click here if you would like to buy a visor / wig!)


On 6th February we played our first round in the Mail on Sunday competition.   Click here to find out the result.


Our fund raising Coffee Morning (see below) was held on Wednesday 10th with the proceeds going towards my Lady Captain's charity, Friends of Tewkesbury Hospital.   We raised over £445 which is excellent considering that we are only a small ladies section.
Jean Marshall and Pat Cowley pose as "Calendar Girls"....
not sure if the buns are big enough....
you had to see the film!!

I am modelling a candy bra made from sweets which someone brought in for the bric-a-brac stall.   
I think the bra made its way to our Pro Shop as did a book on the Karma Sutra the previous year!
The Tombola stall has some customers whilst the coffee flows freely!

Fiona's Garden Stall is always popular and the potted flowers and bulbs
heralds in the Spring.

You may be amazed to know that this is the time of year to view and order the clothing for next Autumn / Winter 2010 & 2011.  The clothes from Daily Sports, Ping and Glenmuir are up to the usual high standard.   If you visit www.ladygolfer.uk.com I do have some sale bargains left for this winter.   Lined trousers and beautiful fleece tops and knitted sweaters.   Just right for the oncoming Spring months.
January 2010

It is being called "The Big Freeze" here in the UK and as I look out of my window over snow covered fields, the weather is living up to the name!


The golf course is closed but the toboggans are out.   We had 5 inches of snow in Gloucestershire last night and this evening, Wednesday 6th, we are expecting temperatures to fall well below zero.   It appears that most of Great Britain has had some snow. I know that in some countries that is the norm, but for us in the UK being protected by the Jet Stream around our island, we rarely experience such widespread snow.





Catherine Martin made the snowman on the right........love the hair!
.....8th January and still The Big Freeze continues with temperatures dropping to around minus 9 degrees at night.  I managed to drive to my golf course at Tewkesbury Park to take some photographs and the scenery was dazzling. (See above - 18th hole) 
.....11th January and we had a snowfall last night so another picture!   Our ladies day was again cancelled yesterday 12th, again because the course is still snow covered.

Now the fog is coming down and tonight 14th, is our Club AGM.
Now, it's the end of January and the snow has cleared, let's hope February will bring Spring nearer, the golf courses open and golfers emerge from their winter hibernation!

If you want to beat the cold, visit www.ladygolfer.uk.com for some warm golf clothes - pullovers and lined trousers to choose from with a selection of winter gloves and caps too.
December 2009
A busy month for most households planning the run up to Christmas and then surviving the Christmas and New Year holiday.   Our Christmas family get together went well but I can't say that about the appliances in our household.   After many exasperating hours when my Broadband connection went down on 23rd December the problem was found to be the router.   The washing machine also decided to make a terrible noise on high spin so that was another little thing to sort out! I also had my own health scare when I was recalled on 23rd December for more X-rays and scans when I was found to have a small lump in my breast.   Thankfully I was told that it was not cancerous.   I cannot relay the emotion I felt on receiving that piece of good news!

The Ladies' Christmas dinner held on 8th December was very enjoyable I am told.   Very good to know, as it is organised by the Lady Captain (me) and the ladies have high expectations each year of having a good time.

We had entertainment by Martyn (Pub Singer) and Bruce Marshall (Scottish Rock Star.)    One of the tables is pictured on the left and it seems that the wine glasses are empty- as usual!
At the Christmas party we had a game where there were 3 things in a box and you had to identify the items by feeling them inside the box with one hand only.   There were a few squeals when the ladies touched the false teeth and a very squidgy Ann Summers "Stress Willy".   Martyn's leopard printed posing pouch that he wore whilst performing the Full Monty for an X-Factor Club night (don't ask!) was quite difficult to guess!!
We had our Christmas 9 Hole competition on 9th December followed by Mince Pies and coffee with the dishing out of "Secret Santa" presents. The prize for best wrapped present went to Sue Lockwood who ingeniously wrapped her present in the shape of a handbag.
   
November 2009
On Monday 9th the Ladies Section of Tewkesbury Park Golf Club had their AGM and I am now Lady Captain!

Here I am giving my in-coming speech with Jean Marshall, past Lady Captain no doubt thinking "Phew, what a relief it is coming to the end of my term!"   

I have a very hard act to follow though, because Jean has been an excellent Captain and her year has been enjoyed by all the ladies at our Club.
My Captain's "Drive In" was on 11th November followed by an 18 hole stableford "Hidden Pairs" competition.   Afterwards we had Pizza's and coffee and I was delighted to see such a good turn out of ladies. Linda Marsh said it was because there was free food on offer!!   

The distance of my "drive in" off the par 3 10th tee was guessed correctly by Jackie James and the proceeds will go towards my charity "Friends of Tewkesbury Hospital".  We are lucky to have a community hospital in Tewkesbury.
   
If you are scratching your head wondering what to give your golfing friend something for Christmas, I have some ideas for you.    www.ladygolfer.uk.com is selling a good range of winter gloves, caps, hats and scarves.   These are very handy accessories to wear on the course on a cold winter's day and would make good presents at reasonable prices. Otherwise, why not treat yourself?!!

November ended on a sad note for the Ladies Section when a founder member of Tewkesbury Park Golf Club, Lois Thorpe, who was also made Honorary Member, died on 29th November after a short illness. Lois was a lady who was very respected and who, although her golfing days had passed, made every effort right up to the end, to support and attend our ladies' events. Lois will be missed by all.
October 2009
Stop Press:  I now have a Vice Captain, Pauline Murphy.  I am delighted that Pauline will be my Vice Captain as she has been a valued member of the committee in the past.   Pauline has been Honorary Secretary and is the County Veterans Representative.   I am sure her experience will help to guide me.   Pauline will be an excellent Lady Captain when her time comes.

I can now concentrate on getting the diary for the Ladies' Section finalised.   It is quite difficult choosing dates for our main competitions which do not conflict with the other sections of the club and interspersing them with our own County Alliance, Friendlies and other Mixed competitions.   One thing for sure, I won't be introducing any new competitions into our calendar, we really have too many as it is but they have all been a tradition of our club.  
I played recently in the Five Nations' Cup.   A mixed Club competition made up of teams from England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and the Rest of the World.  Eight players in each team but not all born and bred in the country they were representing!!    Ireland won this year but a good time was had by all.   The sun was shining but now it is raining.  The UK weather is unpredictable so I hope you have sorted out your Autumn wardrobe.   Layering is the answer and there is a good choice from www.ladygolfer.uk.com.  I especially like the Daily Sports thin tops which can be worn by themselves or under a fleece.  (Shown here is a turtle neck top in the popular colour of Cappuncino.)
 
Tewkesbury Park Golf course has been looking wonderful recently in the warm Autumn sun that we have been lucky to have in Gloucestershire.  The trees are beginning to turn into glorious shades of red and orange   It was a pleasure to play golf on such a beautiful day.  In the picture opposite Tewkesbury Abbey stands out resplendent against the blue sky.
It was so warm that even one of our friendly hares found time to sunbathe by the wheel of one of the golf buggies!  

There are quite a few hares to be found on the golf course and some are so tame that you can find yourself taking a bunker shot with a hare staring at you nearby.   That really does concentrate the mind because a bad shot, a dead hare and I am sure nobody would give you the time of day!
   


Before I sign off in October, may I wish you a Happy Halloween.   I know the 31st October is not to everyone's liking but I enjoy the day because it is my Birthday.   
Best wishes from the Old Witch!!


A timely piece of advice ................. !!
September 2009
The end of the month has just passed and it is time to see if your name has been posted as a winner. Visit the "Sign In" page to complete the form to be elgible for the free monthly prize draw. There are some good prizes coming up so keep viewing. One being a cookbook called "I'd Rather be Playing Golf" and the other a hairy visor! You have to see it to believe it. Its rather fun and would cause some laughter I am sure.

The new Autumn stock of golfing wear for women is now in and to view it visit www.ladygolfer.uk.com. There is a good range of trousers and one style is every Lady Golfer's dream! A pair of waterproof trousers that can be worn on their own without the need to pull on over-trousers every time it rains. They will sell out very quickly.

Daily Sports have created some great tops too that can be used for layering. These are excellent and will give you warmth without bulk. Glenmuir and Ping are also improving their collection of ladies golf clothes and offer a good range of pullovers and fleeces.

There is a big event for me in November. I will become Lady Captain at Tewkesbury Park Golf Club which I am looking forward to with trepidation, if that makes sense! At the moment I am immersed with dates for next year's diary. However, my biggest concern is that I do not have a Vice Captain!   I will let you know if that is resolved.

I had the opportunity of driving a Porsche (not mine unluckily) and I had a photo of me posing on the bonnet in the Lady Captain's car parking space.   Do you like the numberplate "Lady Captain 09 Over the Top"!!!!??  Wish it was mine - and the car too!

Tewkesbury Park Pro-Am
held - 17th September.   Pictured here are Jean Marshall, Glo Slatter, Tom Pratt (Professional) and Christine Williams.   
We all played well and were delighted to be placed third - we were the only ladies team entered and Tom enjoyed our company - he said!

(Picture taken by photographer Terry Linden who will attend any golfing event and takes great pictures. View his website for details)
 

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