Hello and welcome to this weeks newsletter. 

I'm afraid this week I have to start with some bad news. As I'm sure many of you have already heard, Chris Standen was tragically killed last week in a car accident off Newport Road on the way back home from work. 

I had the pleasure of working with Chris for a number of years, particularly with the scratch team and junior section and got to know him both at and away from work. As well as his work for the club, Chris was well known throughout the region and was the youngest Chairman of any County Academy programme in the country. He was good company and easy to get on with, even if you had to put up with his talk of Man Utd, and never frightened to give his opinion on a matter. He probably broke down many barriers and misconceptions about private golf clubs without realising. 

When I first started back here there was an influx of trial members. On an evening out with Chris watching his beloved Manchester United take on the might of Scunthorpe, he took me to the Duke of York where to my surprise I knew most of the people in there as they were either members or trial members. They had joined because Chris had invited them down and promoted the club and I had given them lessons as part of the trial membership pack. Old habits were obviously hard to stop as we are still getting trial members coming through who have been sent our way after Chris had seen them on the commuter train into London. 

As I mentioned earlier he was a great supporter of junior golf and with myself, Les Sheffield and La-Vern took great pride in turning round the fortunes of the side in 2011 when we went onto win everything. During the scratch league season he was always here for the home matches and often away supporting the team, something I know that was very much appreciated by the lads and Graham. 

It goes without saying that he will be greatly missed by all who knew Chris and my thoughts are with his family. 


 

Hole in One at Ladies Autumn Foursomes 2015 

A good test of golf was played by over 50 ladies at Saffron Walden Golf Club this week. The Autumn Foursomes was great success and the weather stayed kind despite a grey cold start. Extra celebrations were called for due to a fantastic Hole in One by lady member Tuppa Wiseman on the beautiful 5th hole, during the afternoon game. Congratulations. 

The main competition was played over 27 holes, the format consisting of 18 holes Foursomes in the morning followed by 9 holes foursomes in the afternoon after lunch. 

Results were as follows: 
1st with 49 pts Justine Voss & Vicky Rutherford, 2nd with 47 pts Lynda Minton & Vilma Krinks and 3rd with 47 pts on c/b Linda Kelsey & Vivienne Dondi. 
Nearest the pin 5th Jaine Fieldhouse & Vivienne Dondi on 18th. 

Prizes were presented by Lady Captain Helen Porter. Congratulations to all the winners, players and organisers for a wonderful day. 


 

Invited to the Ladies European Tour Access Series by Sarah Smith

For the third year running, I'm feeling very excited to have been invited to a Ladies European Tour Access Series as a result of finishing 6th in the WPGA LETAS Qualifying Order Of Merit. The order of merit consists of 7 stroke play events being played at golf courses all over England. In both 2013 & 2014 I finished 12th place in the Order of Merit so by beating this in my third year as a professional I am very happy! 

The event is from Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th October and is made up by a 54 holes stroke play event with 18 holes being played each day followed by a cut, after which the 40 leading professionals will qualify for the final day. 

Any support at the event at Stoke By Nayland Golf Club would be more than welcomed! 

You can follow my progress on Twitter, Facebook or on my website. 

Wish me luck

All the best. Sarah