Sarah Smith - Second One Day Series
On Wednesday this week I played at Dunham Forest Golf Club in Manchester in the second One Day Series with the WPGA tour. Having not played the course for 2 years I was a little rusty with direction off tees but played some great recovery shots into greens with my new Yonex irons! The course is very tree lined and I found a few, but I also played shots which I was very happy with too - including my eagle on the first after hitting a 5 wood 220 yards finishing front edge of the fringe and putting in.
I finished 3 over, not disappointed but knowing I could have holed a couple of extra birdie putts I'm happy to have finished T6th (with Alison Nicholas!) I'm very excited as this finish also puts me up a place in the Order Of Merit now at 3rd position!
After a little swing session with Rob at the range (please see the swing analysis in next week's newsletter) I'm looking forward to my next event. This is the Lombard Trophy Qualifier at Dunham Forest Golf Club (again) next Friday with Helen Porter. I and Helen will compete against other female pairings from other clubs for the top 3 spots to hopefully go to Portugal!
After this, I'm playing another ladies event at Three Rivers Golf Club, Essex on Tuesday, 6 June. I'm still on the hunt for a caddy for this event so if you are available & would like to - please come and have a chat!
Walden Vs Worlington
Away from the excitement of the Morrow Trophy and the Kiwi Cup, there was another keenly fought contest that reached its climax at Saffron Walden Golf Club recently - The Gents of Royal Worlington, captained by Rupert "Lindsay" Clark, took on the Players of Walden, captained by Little Ted Welch.
Now in its fourth year, the competition involves morning foursomes at Worlie, afternoon fourballs at Walden and three sit-down meals. At halfway, the match was tied at 3-3 as Adam Cairns' normally immaculate short game deserted him, but the afternoon saw Walden's superior fitness tell as several Players suffered with injury.
Tom Collett had to retire before lunch, Mike Vandrau struggled with a sore back and had to battle away off an 18 handicap, while Rupert Kirby had to use a buggy because he had a slight cough. The visitors also failed to cope mentally with the concept of playing 18 holes that were all different.
Walden lost just the one rubber in the afternoon, mainly thanks to a missed putt at the 18th from newly naturalised Brit Ian Fairall. The Players ran out comfortable winners by 8.5-5 to retain the trophy (yet to be named) and were all awarded some high-quality ties by the Gents by way of congratulations. BBE Hodgkin took both his matches and was named Most Valuable Player, for which he won nothing.
Another Home Win
Congratulations to the Ladies Jean Wilkinson Team who continued their success in their second league match with an 8 points to 6 points victory over opponents St Ives on Saturday, 20 May. The match started in the rain but thankfully this did not last very long and the games continued in reasonable weather conditions.
There were some hard fought, close matches but the Team got off to a great start with a 6&5 win by Elaine Purcell.
Sue Gunter had quite a battle, being three down on the front nine, but won four holes in a row to get to one up. However, the St Ives lady did not give up and the match was eventually halved. Sue Ward, despite not feeling well and three down got back to one down by the tenth, went three down again but ended with a half on the 18th! Jan Rackham's match was very close but she battled on to win by 2up.
Our newest, and by far, the youngest member of the ladies squad and playing in her first Jean Wilkinson match, eleven year old Alex Sparrow played the front nine in 43 - Alex was four up after just eight holes - and went on to win 5&4. When asked what she thought of Alex and her game, the St Ives caddie replied 'awesome'!
A big thank you to reserves Linda Kelsey, Ann Clackson and Barbara Nicoll, caddies Kathy Bowman, Delia Roberts, Justine Voss, Ann Clackson and Barbara Nicoll and supporters Mary Toll, Eileen Farrow, Jean Bradley and Jaine Fieldhouse - many thanks for your help and support.
Our next match is at Royston on Thursday, 13 July.
Well done everyone, Vivienne Dondi, Team Manager
*Please remember that the first round of the knock out must be played by Friday, 2 June.
Clive Walker led our team to an away match v Girton on Wednesday
The main feature was rain. It rained heavily on the Tuesday night and rain persisted throughout Wednesday. This was good for our farmers and gardeners but made golf a real test. The sand in the bunkers was sodden and despite relief from the puddles, it often took two or three shots to escape the trap. In these conditions local knowledge was key and gave the home team a significant advantage.
Despite the heavy rain, the golf was very competitive and was played in a very good spirit. Six of the matches were decided on the last two holes. We recorded two wins from our pairings of Nick Rouse/ Alan Seymour and Barry KIngsley/ Chris Martin. John Stewart and Tony Collett were one up but lost the 18th to earn a half. In the lead game the scores fluctuated from two down, one up, four down, one down and finished with a loss of 2&1. Eric Grant, a former Girton member, used his local knowledge to lay up just inches from the fairway ditches on two holes, he also made two very good long putts to halve holes.
After a much needed shower we enjoyed a very pleasant meal (roast pork and apple crumble) with plenty of interesting and amusing conversation. We toasted Malcolm Crisp and his team and vowed to gain revenge in the return fixture on Wednesday, 6 September. The final score was 5 1/2 to 2 1/2, in favour of Girton.
Yonex Demo Day
The PXG Demo Day was a huge success and I'd like to thank those of you that attended and hope you all enjoyed it and what clubs the latest hotest brand had on offer.
Don't worry if you missed this one as we have an upcoming Yonex Demo Day on Friday, 16 June 9am-3pm. Get in contact with the pro shop or click here to secure your slot.
Fathers Day Special
Monday, 19 June 7:00-8:00pm
The hour will involve practising & improving your golf skills at the range… it’s an open evening for any father & child who would like to take part in an hours coaching session ran by a PGA Professional. It doesn’t matter if you have never played before or play full time- the father & child get together session is a great introduction to golf!
Only £10 for the hour! (per pair)
Book now to secure your place by clicking here, maximum of 12 in a group.
A Refreshers Guide To Golf
Do You Know Someone Who Wants To Try Golf?
Saturday, 20 May 1:30-4:00pm (weather dependant, be prepared for cold weather!)
Great Chesterford Research Park Par 3 Course Or Saffron Walden Golf Club - Numbers Dependant…
During the afternoon you will learn basic techniques for getting you started in learning golf or practice with a coach for those starting out who want to improve their game. The afternoon covers long game, chipping & putting or short game, putting & on course experience. It’s a fun afternoon, meeting new people, discovering new skills and you will be refreshed on the skills of learning golf.
Only £22 for the afternoon (equipment & balls provided)
Book now to secure your place by clicking here, maximum of 10 in a group.
