Women's Captain's Blog, 20th February 2025

A dry, sunny morning for our competition this week was a happy contrast to last Wednesday’s miserable, grey skies when the course had been closed after rather a lot of rain. Thirty-two women, keen to prove they could score on the course in a Stableford with only five clubs in their bag, took to the fairways on Wednesday, February 19th. Always a difficult choice – do you take the driver and use up a precious club of the five, or do you go for a three wood or hybrid or similar? There were still some very wet and muddy conditions out there which made the choice even harder.

Whatever was chosen, we had some great scores in, and it was tight at the top.

Congratulations and well done to our top three:

1st  Nikki Chodurek with 35 points

2nd  Gaye Illsley with 35 points

3rd   Christina Mann with 34 points

Great results!

But I hope that everyone felt a winner as negotiating the course with just five clubs was an achievement in itself.  

It was sad to see the course cut up by large divots in so many places, and the birds had peppered many areas of fairway with holes. We can’t do much about such things, apart from replace divots where we can; but we can make an effort to repair pitch marks on the greens. Thank you.

Next week’s competition on February 26th is a qualifying medal. If we have a lot of rain as is forecast over the next few days, then this may not be a qualifier. I will confirm nearer the time.

Then, we have the Flag competition on March 5th, which is a non-qualifier but is also a medal. Sign up for this has just opened.

After two medals, on March 12th, we have a Stableford.

On Friday, March 21st, we have the Women’s Captain v Vice Captain competition, which is a friendly, not too rivalrous occasion over 13 holes. There will be a semi-shotgun start and lunch after. A sign-up sheet for lunch will be going up in the locker room soon. The Academy Year 2 women are invited to join us for this.

Please note that our new Handicap Limits for Competitions comes into play from March 1st. This means that for the Flag on March 5th, because it is a Medal, only Divisions 1, 2 and 3 can enter. There is a 9-hole Stableford competition for anyone who has a handicap of 54 and for anyone who does not want to play in the Medal. If you play the 9-hole, you can carry on playing after nine should you wish (e.g. play to the 13th and stop for tea/coffee and biscuits at the hut!) but only the 9-hole card will count for your handicap.

If you are unsure which competitions you are eligible to enter, please see the list on the website or on the noticeboard in the Women’s locker room.

Just to let you know that this week is your last opportunity to pull out of the two’s. Once we are in the summer season, it will be too late to change.

And a reminder that all ladder challenges need to have been made and played by the end of the day on March 31st.

I have put my play list up for the summer season so please sign up for an event when you would like to play with me.

Final reminder for this week, I am awarding a prize for the most improved handicap in each Division, starting on March 1st and ending on September 30th.

And don’t get disheartened but according to the American professional golfer, Bobby Nichols: ‘Nothing goes down slower than a golf handicap’. I am, however, expecting a number of you to disprove that theory this year!

Keep golfing!

Alison Towndrow
Women’s Captain

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