Victory in prestigious County Competition for SW Ladies 

It has been 30 long years since the ladies section has won the Jean Wilkinson Trophy, a prestigious Cambs & Hunts County Competition. The 2015 team achieved impressive results in the qualifying league matches, beating Royston, The Links, Newmarket and March to qualify for the semi-finals for a third successive year. 

The semi-finals and final are held on one day and this year's venue was Royston GC on Wednesday, 23 September. With seven singles match play games to be played between four league group winners (28 games in the semi-finals), an early start to the day meant most of us leaving home before sunrise to be ready for an 8.00am tee-off. The semi-finals were Saffron Walden versus Abbotsley and Bourn versus Brampton. Saffron Walden ladies won their match 4-3. Brampton were the victors in their semi-finals match.

The Saffron Walden/Abbotsley semi-final results:- Lynda Minton and Kiyoko McLellan both had great wins, 9&7 and 7&5 respectively. Jean Black and Sue Gunter followed winning their matches 4&3 and 5&4. As a result had been achieved the remaining members of the Team were called in - Fiona McKeating, Sue Ward and Vivienne Dondi.

The Saffron Walden players in the Final against Brampton were Lynda Minton, Kiyoko McLellan, Sue Funston (who stepped in at the last minute when a player was taken ill), Ladies' Captain Helen Porter, Jan Rackham, Sue Ward and Vivienne Dondi. The final half hour of the match was very tense and exciting. The Teams were all square with three wins each. It all depended on the last match. Sue Ward had no idea that everything depended upon the result of her match and only realised as she walked back to the 18th green where everyone had gathered to hear the result! Much excitement abounded and continued back at Saffron Walden Golf Club where everyone had been invited to join Captain Keiran O'Reilly in a celebratory drink (or two!). A lovely way to round off a very special day.

    

A big thank you must also go to the caddies for all their support and advice: Sue Amiss, Mary Toll, Rita Craig, Melissa Jones, Kathy Bowman, Delia Roberts, Eileen Farrow, Justine Voss and Debbie a close friend of Jan Rackham's and former member of Royston.

It was also wonderful to have so many supporters cheering the players on throughout the day and sharing in the celebrations: Linda Kelsey, Maggie Fenton, Jean Bradley, Judy Saunders, Valerie Oliver (a Rules Official as well as supporter), Hazel Hayden, La-Vern Frost, John Roberts and Walter McLellan. 

The members of the squad have worked long and hard for this day and have been justly rewarded for their efforts. I am sure this day will live in the memory of everyone who took part for a very long time to come.

Vivienne Dondi, 24 Sept. 2015


 

Our new member of the pro shop team, Callum has been very busy over the past few week's competitively, and he has been playing some fantastic golf. 

Here is a brief update of his progress.

- Shot 75 to come second at Girton junior open 
- Shot 78 to come second at Newmarket junior open 
- Shot 77 to win gross at Gog Magog's merit leave 
- Shot 79 come 2nd at St Ives merit leave 
- Shot 78 at Menzies to win merit league event, thereby winning the merit league

Callum was tied with David Marris going into the last order of merit event at Bar Hill with Isaac Rolland just behind 10 points adrift of the leaders.

After 9 holes Isaac and Callum were tied at +3 which would have meant an overall win for Callum, however with 3 subsequent bogey's up against Isaac's 3 pars, the tide had swiftly changed.

Callum then settled into his more consitent rythm and parred the next 4 before bogeying the 17th from 130 yards out. With Isaac bogeying 4 of his last 5 holes it was all level going down the last.

They both split the fairway with their drives, and had around 230 yards to go to the front of the pin with water close on the right hand side. Callum went first and landed in the greenside bunker around 10 yards from the flag. Isaac soon followed into the bunker, and subsequently hit his next shot to around 10ft. Callum steadied himself and hit his bunker shot to 6ft putting himself well in pole position. Isaac grazed the lip which would have been for a birdie, Callum then holed his putt to win by a shot and take the overall order of merit! What drama!!


 

With signs of winter coming, we had our very own fashion show here in the pro shop for some of our new winter range!

Make sure you pay us a visit and keep warm and dry out on the course this winter!

   

We have also just received the brand new range of Ladies Green Lamb clothing, so make sure you stop in and have a look next time you are here at Saffron Walden.