Page updated on 27 July 2011

Ladies Latest

5th Edition July 2011

Having said that I would  write a regular update during the year, I feel I have failed miserably,   we are already into July and this is only my fifth attempt, still better  late than never!! Having  said that, there really has been no real issues to report  as yet!  I do wish I could have slowed the pace of the year down though, as I feel I have only just begun!

The team matches have been well supported this year with a real sense of team involvement, so thanks to Judith and the Trophy team, and to Maggie and her Bronze team.  Maggie organised a lot of team coaching and practising during the wet and cold spring, so maybe it will pay off dividends next year.  Joy has very ably steered the Harris Bowl to 4 wins out of 5, with one more away match remaining, so fingers crossed that they do well and go through.  Doreen has organised 5 friendly matches, which have been well supported.  The Silver Shield, has one more match to go, unfortunately they lost their first 2 away matches, but had an excellent 7/0 win against Upminster at home.   Thank you to all the team captains, and to Tilly for sorting out all the match dates, a lot of work goes into organising the matches, so it is always appreciated when they are well supported.   I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the caddies for their support, your input this year has been invaluable on those wet summer days!

While on the subject of teams, and especially the Harris Bowl, if you would like to be considered for selection, please let the Captains know.

Our Hunter Foursomes pair, of Annabel Angel and Bee Pertwee,  have beaten Chelmsford and Rochford , and are now into the 4th Round, so congratulations, and  good luck in their next match.  The Munro pair, of Philippa Deman and myself, came up against Chelmsford yet again in the 4th round, and did not play well enough to beat  them .  We  also  had to play a pair from Fynn Valley in the Daily Mail Foursomes 4th Round,  but having to give 18 shots, even at home was just too much of an ask!!

The cup season is now well in; Helen Tarttelin won the 36 hole Coronation Cup.  Helen  had never played 36 holes before, and had never won a cup at Colchester,  so congratulations on all accounts Helen. 

I would also like to congratulate Maureen Devenish and Philippa Deman, who reached  the 4th Round of the Braiswick Cup, and to Jacqui Prince who is in the quarter finals. So good  luck to Jacqui in her match.

Guest day was held on a beautiful summer’s day, contrary to the weather forecast.  88 ladies participated, with 25 clubs represented.  Thanks to all the committee members and others who helped make the day run so smoothly.

My Captain’s day, came and went very quickly, I certainly had a good day, and hope that all the ladies competing did aswell.  I was very lucky to have all my family around, and especially my father and Bill,  keeping you refreshed on the 11th  tee.  I have some lovely photos of you all, which will serve as a lasting memento of my year.

At Committee we have had a number of complaints  yet again about slow play on Tuesdays.  I don’t think there is a solution to suit all but Philippa has kindly written some very wise words on the subject, which perhaps we can all learn  from. They are as follows:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that not all golfers play at the same speed.  Contrary to popular opinion, not all high handicap golfers play slowly and not all low handicap golfers play quickly!  There are ways to improve slow play which players of any handicap can follow.

1.  Arrive on the 1st tee  a good 5 minutes before your start time.

2.  After you have both driven, don’t walk up the middle of the fairway together chatting - go to your ball while your partner goes to his/hers! 

3.  Be prepared!  While walking to your ball, think about the shot you are about to play, don’t continue chatting with your playing partner until you get there. 

4.  When approaching a green, think about where the next tee is and leave your trolley on that side of the green.

5.  While your partner is putting, think about lining up your putt so you are ready.

6.  While walking to the next tee, discuss who took how many shots - don’t do this on the green. 

7.  If you have the honour - get on the tee and drive while your playing partner marks the card, while she drives you mark yours.  You would be amazed how much time can be saved in the course of a round by doing just this.

8.  If you have the misfortune to mislay your ball and can’t find it within a couple of minutes invite the game behind through, do not look for the full 5 minutes and then ask them through.

If you have to go back and play another, do ask the game behind if they would like to go through - don’t just march up and play another without a word!!

9.  If you are the game being held up, do ask the game in front if they would like to invite you through, they may not realise they are being slow and this might just be the encouragement they need to speed up!

10.  Watch the ball - not just yours but your partners also!!

On the social front, some of us  supported  the Royal Wedding by playing at 7.30am  with a ‘wedding breakfast’ afterwards, and then the Murder Mystery evening, so it was a fairly hectic but fun day.

The golf and Spanish BBQ was an excellent afternoon  / evening with our resident  BBQ Chefs ….Hilary Persent  and John Dornan along with Brenda and her team providing an exceptional meal, so thanks to them all.  I believe there will be another BBQ  after the matches on finals day. The Pro – Am and Jubilee Ball are all organized,  and I hope that you will support the Ball.

I suspect, I may only be writing one more Ladies Latest, so in the meantime, let’s hope the sun shines, and we can enjoy the rest of our golfing season in the dry.

4th Edition

April 2011

Having just endured the coldest winter in living memory, and now the sunniest March since 1910, there is no telling what the next few months will bring.  However, so far so good, and the sun is still shining as I write the 4th edition.

Congratulations must go to Wendy Smith who won the 1st handicap prize, and to Jacqui Prince who missed out on count back for 3rd handicap prize at the County Bronze Handicap Meeting.  53 ladies participated, and many said how much they enjoyed playing the course.  Thanks must go to all the ladies who gave up their time to come along and help host the day, and to Madryn for buying the prizes.

Unfortunately the Mail on Sunday team narrowly lost away to Gosfield.  Philippa Deman and myself, played in the Daily Mail foursomes at Maylands  and  managed  a win.

Our County matches start shortly, so good luck to all those involved, and thank you in advance to all the caddies who so generously give up their time to help out. Maggie has put a lot of time and effort into the Bronze team, not only organising coaching sessions, but providing coffee and biscuits while being coached!  Thanks Maggie, and let’s hope all this hard work pays off!  Joy has also been busy preparing her squad for the Harris Bowl matches.

There has been a change of date for the Silver Trophy Team.  The match against Chigwell away will now take place on Monday 23 May 2011, not Wednesday 4 May 2011 as previously advised.  Chigwell had double booked our match with a PGA event.

Mobile Phones in County Competitions. I have downloaded the following excerpt from the Essex Ladies County Golf website….

Mobile Phones should be switched off at all times. The making or receiving of telephone calls (including unanswered calls) using mobile phones, or the use of a mobile phone as a DMD, on the course by Players/Caddies & Team Captains is not permitted in any County Competition.

Penalty for breach:

Match play: 1st offence –loss of hole, 2nd offence - loss of game 10-8. 

Stroke play: 1st offence – 2 shot penalty, 2nd offence – disqualification

 MOBILE PHONE DMD APPLICATIONS ARE NOT PERMITED.

The exception is the use of a mobile phone in an emergency.

The Hirst Salver competition is  now up and running, please think about entering as it is a lovely salver to win, and an excellent competition to play over the summer months.  Details of the competition are up on the board.

The free coaching sessions given by our 3 professionals, were all very well supported, thank you to both Marks and Chris, I have had some very positive feedback

Bridge

A request from the Office……… will anyone wishing to play Bridge in the Parmenter room, please  let the Office know before sitting down. If there is a function taking place later in the day, the office can then advise the catering staff of your intention to play, and can delay setting up, or if necessary, quickly lay up while you prepare for your game.

Ladies Dinner                                                                                                                                                                 The Dinner was very well supported with 93 ladies attending, again, thank you to June Warbuton for her inspiring Ladies Lament, and to Mark Cairns for intriguing us all evening, and to Brenda and her team for the delicious meal. We now look forward to the events taking place on 29th April.

Introduction to Colchester Golf Club                                                                                                                          You will already have read this in the Braiswick Golfer, but just  a reminder……..

‘Why not invite one or two of your friends or family or work colleagues to this 'Introduction to
Colchester Golf Club' session on Saturday 21st May between 11.00am and 1.00pm??
Gentlemen and ladies, golfers and beginners are all welcome. There will be a
free lesson with our Pro, a look around our facilities and complimentary
coffee in the clubhouse.’

Travel expenses                                                                                                                                                            After a lot of discussion at the last committee meeting, your committee have decided for this year, to increase the petrol money allowance to 25p per mile.  The coffee morning was traditionally set up for the purpose of covering  match expenses, and a lot of us still put a great deal of  time and effort into trying to maximise revenue on the morning. It was therefore felt that until such time that the coffee morning is no longer used as a fund raiser this money should still go towards team expenses, including travel. 

One lady has decided not to rent her locker again so we have one available.

Golf  Live ….  from Helen Tarttelin

I’m currently working with Golf LIVE, a great interactive golfing event featuring some of the world’s top golfers, coaches and TV presenters.  It’s  taking place just an hour or so away at the London Golf Club (nr Brands Hatch) from Fri 20th to Sun 22nd May.  Golf LIVE is currently being advertised on SKY Sports and in golfing magazines etc and I am doing a lot of work with golf clubs in the South East…  hence the reason for my note. 

We are offering lady members and their friends a very special two-for-one ticket to attend Golf LIVE on Sunday 22nd.  Golf LIVE has plenty to offer everyone but on Sunday there will be a few extra treats in store for the ladies. 

Features of the show include:

·         Monty’s Masterclass

·         Various shot theatres

·         Three hole pro/celebrity challenges

·         Hub retail area (and yes there will be latest in ladies apparel and accessories)

·         Junior Golf Academy

·         Interview stage

·         300yd Driving range and equipment manufacturers

Golf LIVE is a must-see for everybody who plays golf and offers a great family day out.  This is not a golf show you may be familiar with…it’s more!

Mandy has kindly put up a poster in the locker room, but if you would like more information please visit www.golfliveevent.com or call me if you have any questions 01206 768043.

To book tickets visit the GolfLIVE website www.golfliveevent.com and quote “LADIES” when booking.

See you there! Many thanks Helen

Now that we have entered the proper golfing time of year, I wish everyone an enjoyable golfing season, and good luck to everyone playing in a team.

3rd Edition

Welcome to the 3rd edition of the Ladies Latest. We have had Christmas and New Year since the last edition along with many more happenings, including snow and rain like we’ve never seen before!  (see note at end regarding Supplementary Scores)

Club Golf

The Christmas Cake Walk was played on one of the few sunny Tuesdays we had, with 64 entries. The team of June Warburton, Clare Withnall, Annie Johnston and Margaret Carter won the cakes.

Unfortunately the Bring along a Friend competition on 28th Dec had to be cancelled due to the weather.

The Captain’s Winter competition played on 23rd Nov had 64 entries, with the team of Madryn Abnett, Joan Cotterill, Jacqui Prince and Sheila Dornan coming out on top. The new competition of Split Sixes had its first run on January 11th with a few teething problems, but with 42 entries and all having to carry, I was more than happy with the outcome! Next time, we hope that everyone will play matchplay, taking shots from the lowest handicapped player in the group, as if playing a club knock out match. We will continue to use both tees, as I like the idea that we all end up in the clubhouse together, creating a good atmosphere. The next one is on 15th February, and the last on 15th March, so by then we should be ready for our forthcoming matches.

On that note, please keep an eye on the notice board for practice matches your team captains are arranging. Please try and make the effort to attend, as we need all the practice we can get!

Our three golf professionals have all very kindly offered to each hold a free golf clinic. Details are up on the notice board, so please sign up if you would like to take advantage of this offer.

The Chat In was very well supported and hopefully helped a few of us understand some of the rules and interpretation of them. Maureen and Philippa (alias Miranda and Lucy) ably supported by June did an excellent job in trying to portray them in a light hearted manner, which we all enjoyed.

On Tuesday 15th March after the Split Sixes, David Latta has kindly agreed to come along and answer questions you may have concerning the course. In order to ensure this valuable time is spent wisely, if you have any questions, please could you let me (Mandy Rix) have them in writing in advance of the day, (preferably by e-mail). We can then ensure all your queries are dealt with.

Inter Club Matches

The Daily Mail Foursomes Qualifier was cancelled twice, so it was decided by your committee that the lowest handicapped players would represent our club. Philippa Deman and Mandy Rix will be playing. We have had a bye into the second round, so will not have to play until April.

The Mail on Sunday team, ably captained by Philippa Deman had a great win over Frinton on Monday 31st January. Her fellow team mates were Judith Robertson, Marilyn Wood, Rosie Helliwell and Mandy Rix. We wait to hear who our next opponents are.  The first round of the Munro Foursomes is on Monday 18th April, at Warley Park, against Garon Park.

Social

If you would like to come to the Ladies’ dinner on Friday 25th March, please add your name to the list on the notice board.

New Year’s Eve was a great success, with tickets selling out well in advance. Burns night was resurrected this year, again a sell-out. Thanks must go to the Social committee for all their hard work in putting on these events and to everyone else who helped decorate the clubhouse on both occasions making the clubhouse look so welcoming.

The annual Bridge Drive was very well supported, with 44 ladies taking part. Alison Cordran was the outright winner of the day.

21- 36 County Open Meeting

On Monday 28th March 2011, the County Open Meeting  for 21 –  36 handicap is to be held at Colchester Golf Club, and as a club we are obliged to assist  on the day.  If you have never played in an Open  meeting , now is your chance, especially with the home advantage.  You can enter individually, or in 2’s or 3’s.  If you need any help or advice on what it entails, just ask our County delegate, Maureen Crosbie, or any of your committee.   A large amount of our ladies fall into this handicap category, so it would be lovely to see you participating, especially so that I can present the prize to one of you at the end of the day! The entry form can be found in the County Members Handbook 2011, a copy of which is now in your pigeon hole. So, what are you waiting for……….just fill it in, send it off and wait for your tee time to come through!! 

Supplementary Scores

The United Handicapping System is based on the expectation that every player will return a sufficient number of scores to provide reasonable evidence of her current ability.

Although golf club Committees may consider that in the course of a playing season they organise an adequate number of competitions to provide ample opportunity for Members to participate, investigation has confirmed that a substantial number of Members do not return sufficient scores in the period between Annual Reviews to maintain a handicap that reasonably reflects her current ability. This may be due to:

Work or family commitments.
Difficulty in obtaining a suitable starting time on competition days.
A declining desire to play regular golf.

Supplementary Scores have been introduced to provide players in the above situations and the like, an alternative format in which to submit scores for handicap purposes and augment the often sparse information derived from competition play. The intent is to encourage the provision of more evidence of playing ability over a wider range of players and so make handicapping more equitable and golf under handicap conditions more meaningful for all concerned.

It will be permissible for all categories including category one to return Supplementary Scores.

All members will now be entitled to return Supplementary Scores irrespective of the number of qualifying scores returned in the previous year. Members may enter up to ten supplementary scores per year, maximum of one card per week. The format may be stroke play or stableford.  Players must sign the appropriate book before playing.  Handicaps will be adjusted based on the Standard Scratch Score.  Place the card in the box for Comp. Sec. to enter in the computer.

Date changes below

Course Queries; date change

David Latta is now coming along on Tuesday 29th March at 9.30am, and NOT on the 15th March as originally stated.  David will be in the clubhouse at 9.30am for about an hour to discuss queries you may have regarding the course.  As explained previously, any questions you may have, must be directed to Mandy Rix in writing beforehand, or by e-mail.

Coaching Clinic; date change

The coaching clinics have been very well supported; unfortunately, Mark Angel has had to re-arrange the Course Management date. This will now be on Monday 11th April NOT Thursday 7th April.  Please see the list and sign up again if you are able to attend the new date, or indeed if you can now make the re-arranged date.  There is no restriction on numbers for this session, as Mark will be walking around a few holes on the course, in order to try and demonstrate course management skills.

2nd Edition

Thank you
The coffee morning was very well supported, and raised £830.  Thank you to the committee and officers for making it run so smoothly.  Sheila Greaves’ Christmas flower arrangements were very well received, with some of us trying to emulate them for the decorations in the Clubhouse at Christmas and New Year! 

Thank you to everyone who played in, or just came along for lunch at the Captain’s Winter Competition, my charity was donated £130.  64 ladies played, with Madryn Abnett, Joan Cotterill, Sheila Dornan and Jacqui Prince emerging as the winning team.

Christmas Cake Walk
The next major event is the Christmas Cake Walk, if you have not signed up but would just like to join the lunch please let myself or Shelley Persent know asap.  Canapés and welcome drinks will be served at 1pm, lunch will then be served at your table. If the weather is inclement, you will obviously still be expected for lunch.

Lockers
Number 58 locker key is missing, please could you check that you do not have it hidden away somewhere!

The final decision on the choice of key fob has yet to be made at the next committee meeting, if you have a preference please let a committee member know.

Bring Along a Friend
On 28th December as usual, the Ladies will host a mixed competition…… ‘Bring along a Friend’.  Non – member guests are very welcome (green fee of £5).

Clubhouse decorating
Club house decorating will take place on Friday 10th December at 9.30 am, you are more than welcome to come along and give a helping hand to your committee.  The lady Captain will, as is tradition, be making the mince pies!

Split Sixes
As explained at the AGM, one of the aims this year is to improve upon our matchplay skills.  One way to try and achieve this is to maybe play more matchplay competitions during the winter. Split sixes, is a form of match play for three players, played with full handicap allowance, and drawn in 2 handicap divisions.  There are six points to be won on each hole, and the winner is the person with the most points. If there are enough entrants, we will go off the 1st and 11th tee, so we are all back in the clubhouse close together. A small prize will be awarded to the winner of each group. The first attempt is on January 11th.

Ladies Dinner
As you well know, Bridget and Maggie, organised two very successful away trips for us ladies;  I thought it was tempting fate to repeat this, so have decided to try something different.  On Friday 24th March 2011, we will host a Ladies only dinner.  Why not get a group of friends together, non-members are very welcome, perhaps some potential new members might attend, and realise that we are a very friendly and sociable group! We will be entertained by Mark Cairns a professional mind reader who says…. “He's not psychic, he can't see into the future, he won't hypnotise you into thinking you are a chicken and he doesn't believe it's possible to contact your dead goldfish.  But he does know what you are thinking, making for an evening of intriguing entertainment." http://www.markcairns.co.uk

I will put more details up in the New Year.

Chat in
The chat in on 18th January is a Rules Refresher. John Wright and Maureen Crosbie have kindly offered to do a presentation, do try to come along as it is never too late to learn!  There will not be any organised golf that day, but you can obviously play afterwards, adhering to the club tee times.

Updates  at http://www.cgcladies.net/.

With the weather not looking too promising, we will try to keep you updated about any alterations to Tuesday competitions as much as we can.