On Wednesday, 7 September, Hugh Paton led a team against Girton at home. This started with problems for Hugh with player availability, but he managed to recruit Roger Cowen and Kit Bilal at the last minute.
There were some comments about the Girton players's handicaps, but all in all it was a good match with a win of 5.5 to 2.5. The greens had just been dressed which proved a bit of a challenge keeping the ball clean.
The penultimate match was Captained by Chris Knight away at Haverhill on Friday, 9 September. The pairing of Derek Green and Steve Williams secured a half otherwise it would have been a whitewash. The Haverhill course has matured greatly in the last few years and if you have not played it you are certainly missing out.
Despite the result, a most enjoyable outing.
Malcolm Thorne
After Richard's resignation this week, Ian had taken on a new trainee.
The wellies will be standard issue to all staff in the near future...
Watch this space next week for our monthly report which will update you on all the maintenance that is being carried out on the course here at Saffron Walden.
For the second consecutive year, Saffron Walden Ladies made it to the Jean Wilkinson Final.
County officials had to rearrange the venue and date, due to Lakeside Lodge qualifying, which meant that the team had to travel deep into the fens to Ramsey Golf Club, for an 8.30am start on Friday, 9 September. Fortunately, the morning was blessed with bright sunshine, but golfing conditions were made tricky by a strong, swirling wind.
Ramsey is a course rarely played by Saffron Walden ladies, due to its location on the far limits of the Cambs. & Hunts. Region; however, the dedicated team members had previously journeyed to the club for practice rounds, which meant that the course was not a totally unknown quantity.
The preparation and strength of the SW ladies team paid dividends in the morning semi-final match against the Lakeside Lodge team, whose home club is just "down the road" from Ramsey. SW won four of the first five matches giving the Captain for the day, Melissa Jones, the luxury of calling in the remaining matches, as SW had achieved the four "points" to win the semi-final.
After a refreshing lunch, the team had to steel itself for the final against the ladies' team from Ely City whose semi-final match against Brampton had gone to a play off because the match was all square after 18 holes. What had already proven to be a long day was made harder by ever more challenging conditions as the wind strengthened. To describe the golf as "hard work" is probably an understatement; on this occasion the Ely team came out winners on the day.
As the evening light began to fade, there was a short presentation ceremony; the Ladies' Captain Jaine Fieldhouse collected the runner's-up cup from Jackie Richardson, County President, on behalf of the team and it will be proudly exhibited in our trophy cabinet for the coming year.
The SW team spirit and hard work got them to the final yet again and this competition, together with the Grace Norman Trophy (won by SW earlier in the year), is one that our Ladies' section intends to vigorously challenge for every year.
The Ladies' Captain Jaine Fieldhouse and the Team would like to thank all the caddies and supporters including La-Vern Frost and Jeremy White who came along to cheer their players on, not just at the final but at the qualifying league matches earlier in the year.
Do you know someone who wants to try golf?
A Refreshers Guide to Golf - Saturday, 15 October
1:30pm - 4:00pm @ Saffron Walden Golf Club
As our 2 September groups were so popular we are holding another Learn Golf In An Afternoon session!
During the afternoon you will learn basic techniques for getting you started in learning golf. The afternoon covers long game, chipping & putting. It's a fun afternoon, meeting new people, discovering new skills and you will begin to learn how to play golf!
Only £20 for the afternoon
Book now to secure your place, maximum of 10 in a group. Click here to get in touch, or call us in the pro shop to book yourself in.
