Women's Captain's Blog, 21st August 2025

This Wednesday, 20 August, we had our Club Championships, Handicap and Scratch, over 36 holes with a handicap index limit of 36.  The first round was also the August medal which included those playing only the 18 holes.

The winners were:

Championship Scratch Winner: Lucy Bidmead with 177 gross, just beating Lesley Avent on countback.

Championship Handicap Winner: Alexandra Towndrow, with a consistent score of 66 for each round.  2nd : Helen Gilbert with 67 and 73.

August Medal Winners: 

Div 1: Alex Towndrow with nett 66; then Helen Gilbert with 67

Div 2: Liz Tolton with 65; closely followed by Sue Agapiou with 66

Two’s were scored by Lucy Bidmead, Sarah Carver, Mandy Lawson, Tracey Ripsher, Helen Savage, and Alex Towndrow.

Many congratulations to all winners, especially those competing in the Club Championships. It is a challenge to maintain consistency over 36 holes, particularly playing on the hard ground conditions where the bounces can take you almost anywhere but where you wish to be. Some great results! Well played!

Last Sunday afternoon, 17 August, we had the Lambert Trophy, a mixed Foursomes Board competition. The Lambert Trophy is actually a photograph album of photos taken of the course by a Club member and professional photographer, Arthur Lambert, in 1973. It is fascinating to compare the photos with how the course is now, over 50 years later.  Congratulations to the winners Iain Lanario and Cela Selley with 41 points. Commiserations to Chris and Paul Robertson also with 41 points but losing on countback. (Read Guy’s blog for his tale of the wrong hole in 1!)

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 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  for Divisions 1 and 2. Please sign up in pairs on IG from 24 August.

On Wednesday, 10 September, it is the President’s Prize for Women when our President, Iain Lanario, will kindly donate and present the prizes. Please note that this is open to all Divisions – 1,2,3 and 4.

We have another Sunday afternoon competition on 14 September, the Grace Lawrence Business Women’s Cup. This is a Stableford open to all players who are still in full or part-time employment, or self-employed.

Then the Wednesday after, on 17 September, it is the Autumn Meeting; an individual medal competition in the morning, followed by a 9 hole Team Competition in the afternoon. There will be an early evening meal after, followed by a prize presentation. An email giving more details will be sent soon.

Last Thursday, August 14, Chris Robertson organised a very successful bridge drive to raise funds for our Captain’s Charity, The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre. It was wonderful to see so many people supporting the drive, and supporting our Charity for which an amazing £860 was raised. Some delicious cakes were made for our afternoon tea break and a convivial time was had by all.  Thanks to the cake makers; to the raffle prize providers; to Chris’ helpers, Sarah Carver and Una Kilgallon; and especially to Chris Robertson, who had put in a huge amount of work to organise the event. Thank you again.

The most recent edition of The Bush Telegraph is now out. The 150th edition! It’s a good read, telling you more about your wonderful Club and its achievements as well as having reports from Guy and myself. There are paper copies at the Clubhouse and it is available online. It also features photos and the winners of the 130th Celebration Day.

Next Wednesday, while we are playing our August Stableford, Sharon Saunders and Ruth Goulding will be competing in the next round of the Daily Mail Foursomes at Thetford. We wish them luck.

Clare Laycock really enjoyed her playing experience at The Grove in the Unleash Your Drive final on August 12th where she was well looked after.

After our mammoth 36 hole Championships experience, I will leave you with this quote from ‘Gentle Ben’, the retired American professional golfer, Ben Crenshaw, who won the Masters in 1984 and 1995: ‘Golf is the hardest game in the world. There is no way you can ever get it. Just when you think you do, the game jumps up and puts you in your place.’  So take comfort from his words and don’t worry about your game, just enjoy the days when you do ‘get it’!

Happy golfing!

Alison Towndrow
Women’s Captain
 

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