Women's Captain's Blog, 14th August 2025

This week we have played the Rafferty - two medal rounds over two days, Monday, 11 and Wednesday, 13 August. Personally, after my round today, I would rather discuss the wildlife, particularly those naughty crows digging up our putting greens in search of leather jackets; or the Canada Geese, intent on passing as much poo as they can on the fairways; or the regal heron, winging his way over the depleted lake; or the group of song thrushes, pottering on the practice putting green. But I had better cast my personal disasters aside (yes, it is possible to score 15 on hole 17!) and tell you the winners of the competitions as we had some great results.

Our winner of the Rafferty Cup this year, from a field of 22 players, with a wonderful, combined net score of 135 (70 and 65) was Margaret Herlihy.

Rafferty Runner Up: Mary Kemal 139 (74 and 65)

Rafferty Round 1: Helen Gilbert 67

Rafferty Round 2: Margaret Herlihy 65

Winner of the Rafferty Scratch: Lesley Avent, with a gross score of 177

Alternate Medal winner: Julie Rewiuk 65                                                                                              
(of the 11 playing in this competition, 6 scored below par in the 60’s! Most impressive!)

Stableford 9-hole winner: Janet Beacham with 21 points (in a field of 8 players).

Many congratulations to all the winners! It is so hard to play consistently over two rounds but several of you did. A great achievement!

And well done to those who scored a two in spite of the unpredictable bounces: Ros Margey, Sharon Saunders, Sue Nugent (on 2 holes), and Sue Agapiou.

A special thank you on Wednesday to our Events Manager, Debbie Sanders, who efficiently cleaned up the hut after it had been broken into and trashed on Tuesday by mindless vandals. By the time, we arrived for our coffee and tea, all was back to normal – apart from the loss of the fire extinguishers which have probably been hurled in the lake.

Spot the heron!

Sunday, 10 August, on a hot, sunny afternoon, we had our Women’s Invitation to Men: a Greensomes successfully organised by our Vice Captain, Umar Annaradnam, and assisted by the Men’s Vice Captain, Sean Nugent. Our cake makers had again excelled themselves to provide delicious mid- round sustenance and we still had room for a tasty, barbecue feast after the competition on the terrace.

There were 28 pairs competing and the winners were Liz Tolton and John Whiterow (46 points); Bille Newland and Graham Evans were second (45 points); and Maria and Paul Chapman were third on countback from Helen Gilbert and Kris Agapiou, both with 44 points.

Nearest the Pin for Men on 13th: John Whiterow

Nearest the Pin for Women on 5th: Rita Kapur

Nearest the Pin in 2 on 4th: Lee Robinson and Alison Towndrow

Nearest the Pin in 2 on 14th: Iain Lanario and Sue Evans

Congratulations to all winners from Umar and myself.

This Sunday afternoon, 17 August, we have another mixed competition, the Lambert Trophy which is a Board competition with a handicap index limit of 36.4. There are 20 pairs competing, with a meal after in the restaurant.

 Next Wednesday, 20 August, we have the Club Championships, Handicap and Scratch, over 36 holes with a handicap index limit of 36. The August medal can be played on Sunday, 17 August or Wednesday, 20 August, but there is no 9-hole Stableford.

On Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August, there are two Club competitions, the Martin Dench Texas Scramble and Wilson Putting Vase. Teams of four welcome in any combination. There is a Summer Buffet starting from 1pm and live music from Abbey-Jayne.

Our August Stableford, a welcome relief for some after all the recent medals, can be played on either Sunday, 24 August or Wednesday, 27 August; and there is a 9-hole Stableford on the Wednesday.

Our first competition in September on Wednesday, 3 September is the Daily Mail Foursomes. Sign up for this will be in pairs. All are welcome to play but your handicap index will be capped at 25. This competition can also be played on the Sunday before, 31 August; and there is a 9-hole Stableford on the Wednesday.

Then on Sunday, 7 September, we have the Iris Sumner, 4BBB from 1pm, played in pairs.

Just a couple of reminders:  please put your scores in IG and your card in the box as soon as you have finished playing; also, please check that your score on IG and the score on your card is the same before finalising.

Our stock of towels in the Locker Room appears to be much depleted. Should you have taken one home, please return it. Thank you.

Whoever you were supporting during the recent St Jude Championship, you can’t help but feel for Tommy Fleetwood who has yet to gain his first PGA title. It had been a while between titles for the eventual winner. After the tense 3-hole play-off against, J.J.Spaun, Justin Rose secured his first major title since the 2013 US Open. He said, ‘I need to know I’m not deluding myself. I need to know that I can still do it, and this quest for another big one, or two, is not a forlorn task.’

So, to all of you who have not won anything for a while, take heart from Justin – you can still do it. It’s not a ’forlorn task!’

Positive golfing!

Alison Towndrow
Women’s Captain
 

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