It could have been worse these last few months – only the fifth Wednesday course closure since October! Unfortunately, the ground has just not had the chance to dry out so let’s hope that March brings those drying breezes but not necessarily ‘loud and shrill’ and I’m looking forward to the ‘dancing daffodil!'
Our garden working party planted some extra bulbs in the Autumn, so I am hoping for a good show.
We have several competitions in March, weather permitting:
Wednesday, 5 March - The Flag
Wednesday, 12 March - March Stableford (Alternate on Sunday before)
Wednesday, 19 March - The Bisque Salver
Friday, 21 March - Captain v Vice with lunch after
Wednesday, 26 March - March Medal (Alternate on Sunday before)
There are also 9-hole Stableford competitions on each Wednesday.
The sign-up for the Women’s Captain v: Vice Captain on Friday, March 21st is already available on IG. This is open to all Divisions and to the current Academy Year 2 women and will be a draw. We will play 13 holes in Greensomes. The hut will not be open that day as we play just 13 holes with lunch after, but tea/coffee and biscuits will be available from 7:45 am in the entrance. There will be a semi shotgun start from 8:30 am.
Please sign up separately on the list in the locker room for lunch. All are welcome to join us for this, including our former playing members. The cost for jacket potato with a choice of fillings (meat and veggie) and tea/coffee is £12.50. There will be some prize giving after lunch for the comps over the previous few weeks.
The weather has made it difficult to play as many ladder matches as I would have liked but we still have March to make a difference to who ends up at the top! Go for it!
Just a reminder that the sign up is now open for the Women’s Knock Out competitions. Lucy has sent an email explaining the handicap limits and requirements for each competition. Please sign up if you can to ensure that these are robustly contested.
The Mixed Knockouts are also open. The men’s and women’s handicap limit for these is 36.4 and you need to have played 5 qualifying comps over the previous 12 months to be eligible.
With more women members using our Locker Room than ever, it is even more important to keep it clear and tidy. Many who come to play do not have a locker. There are just not enough to go round so ALL need to take home their shoes, bags, and belongings after playing. If you are fortunate enough to have a locker then everything should go in it when you leave and if it does not fit in, please take it home. Thank you all for your co-operation.
Possible dates for your diary:
Apparently, if you can get a group together for the Quiz on Friday night, 28 February, there are still two tables available. Please let Debbie know as soon as you can.
Next week is British Pie Week. To celebrate this, Roy will be serving his delicious home-made pies from Tuesday, March 4th to Sunday, March 9th. Please check the website or click here for what’s on offer and the serving times. There is a vegetarian option available each day. See if you can try them all! No prizes – just a challenge!
On Thursday, March 20th, extreme explorer, Vanessa O’Brien is coming to talk to us about her adventures and how she has achieved six Guinness World Records. There will be a two-course lunch at 1 pm, followed by a talk and Q&A session. Please sign up on the website or click here to ensure your place. Cost: £20.
Then on Monday, April 28th, we have Polly Schlesinger leading a walk round King’s Cross and St. Pancras looking at the regeneration of the area from the 1980’s to the present day. The walk will start at 11 am and last about 1.5 to 2 hours. Polly has kindly agreed to do this for our Captain’s Charity so the £18 ticket cost you pay (less than the going rate for such an event) will all go to The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre. Places are limited to 25 so please sign up on the website or click here as soon as possible.
I am still looking for volunteers to do the Nightingale Night hike on Friday, May 16th, walking 5k, 10k or 15k; or volunteers to help with the water station at the foot of the hill. Please message me personally.
I realise that there is a lot of information here. Some of it will be repeated in future blogs but please note as much as you can in your diaries now. If you have any queries about anything, please email or message me. We have a busy start to the season both golfing and socially …. and it gets busier!
In between all the competitions, don’t forget to find the time to practice. Payne Stewart, an American professional golfer, known for his flamboyant golf clothes and who died tragically young, had this to say: ‘Don’t practice until you get it right…….Practice until you can’t get it wrong’.
Makes you think ……. So, keep practicing!
Alison Towndrow
Women’s Captain