Women's Captain's Blog, 9th July 2025

On yet another warm summer’s day, we played our Kay Steel Trophy and July medal competitions. We had a field of 38 players with several scoring 70 or below in close contention for the win. The Kay Steel Trophy was first presented in 1972 by Eric Steel in memory of his wife, Kay, who had been a long standing member of the Women’s Section (1923 to 1968). She was Ladies’ Captain in 1935, ninety years ago!

Results:

Winner of Kay Steel Trophy
Lisa Martin (23) – 65

Runner-Up
Tracey Ripsher (20) – 67

Lisa and Tracey are also winners of the Medal in Division 1

Div 2 Medal winner
Rita Kapur (39) – 67

Runner-Up
Helen Savage (33) – 68

Sharon Saunders scored 2 x 2’s on the 5ᵗʰ and 13ᵗʰ.

Pauline Platt was the winner of the 9-hole Stableford competition with 18 points and Beryl Bottoms was the runner up with 17 points.

Some great scores! Really well played all winners!

Unfortunately, the few who tried to play the alternate on Sunday had to leave the course because of thunder and lightning and were not able to recommence the competition.

This weather disrupted our 5-a-side team too who had a really close match at home against Hampstead. But after a long break, they were able to continue with the result being a draw (2½ : 2½). Well played Lucy, Lesley, Tracey, Sharon and Lisa!

On Tuesday, Lucy, Janet Connor, Sue Nugent, and Lucy’s friend, Gail, from Hampstead came second on countback in the Northwood Open with 87 points. An impressive result!

Lisa Martin and Tracey Ripsher are through to the regional final of the Australian Spoons to be played at the Paultons Golf Club in Southampton on July 22nd! Very exciting! Good luck and hope you both play well!

You may remember back at the end of April, we had a busy competition day which included the Bushguarders Cup, the May Stableford and Unleash Your Drive, run by the Golf Foundation. I am delighted to tell you that Clare Laycock had one of the highest scores in her category and has been selected to play in the Unleash Your Drive Final at The Grove on August 12ᵗʰ. Fantastic news and what an opportunity for Clare! We all wish you the very best of luck!

You will have received a final email with details of our 130 Years Celebration on Friday, July 11th. Guy and I are delighted to have had so much support from you. Thank you. The timesheets are visible now. The weather is looking good and we hope you have a wonderful day. If you are playing in the morning, don’t forget to come back for the disco in the evening.

On Sunday, July 13th, we are hosting a friendly, mixed comp with Enfield, followed by food.

Next week is my Women’s Captain’s Charity Day on July 16th, an opportunity to raise more funds for our Captain’s Charity, The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre. Teams of four will be drawn for 13 holes of fun and challenges. It is open to all Divisions and Academy Year 2 women. It’s a great opportunity to meet other members of the Women’s Section and play your part in supporting the Charity. Just a reminder to please bring in a wrapped gift and leave it in the box provided in the Women’s Locker room. It can be a bottle, toiletries, or something you didn’t want as a present but that someone else would like. The entry fee is £20 which includes some raffle tickets, three Mulligans and a yard of string! Instructions will be provided! Please bring cash. Extra raffle tickets can be purchased at £5 a strip. There will be tea, coffee, and biscuits on arrival. Lunch is not included but the restaurant upstairs is booked for us where we can order food and have the prize presentation.

On Thursday, July 17th, I am going with a team of past, present, and future Captains to the Verulam Open: Lucy, Umar, Sharon, and myself. We haven’t played this course before so we are looking forward to the challenge.

On Friday, July 18th, we have the Past and Present Lady Captain’s Cup with a lunch after.

The following week on July 23rd will be my Captain’s Day. This is open to all Divisions and will be a draw for teams of three or four depending on the numbers entering. Semi shotgun start. The format is Stableford: one score on par 5’s; 2 scores on par 4’s; and 3 scores on par 3’s. Please pick up if you cannot score. I invite you all to an informal lunch after in the restaurant upstairs where we will also have the prize presentation.

A further reminder for our Women’s Invitation to Women from other Clubs on Wednesday, August 6th. We have 50 so far but it would be good to expand the field of players. One guest per member player. If anyone needs help putting together a team, please speak with one of the Committee. The cost is £50 per pair.

You will have recently received an email from Sean and Umar (our Vice Captains) about the Gent’s Invitation to Women on Sunday, July 20th, and the Women’s Invitation to Gents on August 17th. Please put these dates in your diary. Entry is now open for July 20th, so please find a partner (not your husband) and enter as a team.

Our Women’s Golf Pro, Nicola has now completed the main lessons with the Women’s Academy so when they feel ready, please help them with completing cards; as well as helping the Year 2 Academy members. Just a reminder that Nicola continues to run her regular coaching sessions on Tuesdays at 9am and 11am and Saturdays at 3pm. Anyone can play. £10 per session. Just turn up.

Nicola is also running a Seminar and Workshop on Friday, July 18th from 6 to 7:30pm for £20 entry; and a ‘Wonder Women’ 6-hole Texas Scramble on Tuesday, July 29th from 9 to 11:30am, price £25. Both of these events are open to all women in the Club whatever their standard. Please contact Nicola if you are interested in participating.

I hope you have all noticed the wonderful flowering pots on our back steps and by the first tee, as well as the planting at the hut. Huge thanks to Umar, Sharon,and Tracey who are the prime movers in making these areas look so lovely.

‘To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow’ said the film and fashion icon, Audrey Hepburn. And as we admire our flowers, planted by volunteers, and our course, maintained by our dedicated ground staff, we celebrate 130 years of  our Club in the belief that it too will continue tomorrow.

Happy summer golfing!

Alison Towndrow
Women’s Captain
 

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