GLOUCESTERSHIRE CLUB NEWS 2009

   Jamie Lee Casling

Fiona Wigglesworth (R) with Margaret Gliddon from the EWGA Championship,

Venues and Rules of Golf committee and who is also the Chairman Elect of the SW Region.

Photograph by Patti Cox

TOUGH ....... but that's GOLF! It is not often that you get a birdie …. and still lose the hole! But it happened to Helen Palmer (Ross-on-Wye) playing in an Alliance match against Broadway’s Vicky Watkins recently.   They were playing the 109-yard par 3 8th at Broadway.  Both hit good shots but, as the hole is uphill, couldn’t see the end of either shot.   When they reached the green, Helen’s was a ‘gimme’, but Vicky’s ball was in the hole!   “ It was my first hole-in-one,” said ex County Captain Vicky.  “Tough on Helen …. but I was delighted!”                                Vicky in action at the recent County Golf Partnership Cheltenham Racecourse Challenge Photograph by Tom Ward         HOLE IN ONE FOR BRICKHAMPTON’S DEBBIE CASLING   Finding time to play golf isn’t always easy for Debbie Casling, the County Partnership’s busy development officer, so to make the occasion specially memorable ….. she had a hold-in-one!   It was during the regular Brickhampton Wednesday evening ‘roll-up’, on the 142-yard uphill 5th …. and it was into the wind!   Debbie described the shot: “I watched my playing partners play their shots with woods but I only play with irons. So I thought all I needed was a gentle 6 iron to land just before and roll up  -- and lo and behold, it did! I thought it was close but, as we walked up to the hole, I saw two balls at the back of the green so thought it had gone further than expected. But no, they belonged to other players and so we looked into the hole and there it was!”   In great excitement she rang her husband….. on her mobile from the course.   “When we got in obviously fellow players in the competition were provided with a little tipple and I was presented with 6 Titleist Balls ….. and was fined for using my phone on the course!!”               Action! Debbie Casling at the recent Racecourse Challenge   SHELBY'S HOLE-IN-ONE Just a week after becoming the County’s youngest Ladies’ Champion 14-year-old Shelby Smart, from Knowle Golf Club, had her first hole-in-one.   Here’s what she had to say about it:   “I had my hole in one at Lansdown on the 14th. It was my first one and it was 175 yards playing into the wind and I hit a rescue club.I ripped it and it was all over the flag but when we got to the green there was nothing there. We looked long because I hit it rather well, but we couldn’t find it.    “Then I looked in the hole and it was just there. I started jumping up and down because it was my first one. I didn’t see it go in, but I am glad it was a good solid shot instead of a lucky one with a mis-hit. I have waited five years for my first one and it came at a great time to finish my week off after winning the county champs.”   Only five years waiting? …….. Well it is one third of her life!!                  SOCIAL BRIDGE AFTERNOON   There were good cards and bad cards at the County’s second social bridge afternoon held at Minchinhampton (New) Golf Club on Friday 17th April.   But whatever hands were held there was plenty of fun for the 48 ladies who played, plus the chance to meet up with old friends  ….. and enjoy scrumptious (fattening!) cakes with their tea.   County President, Jenny Clink, was there to present the prizes to the winners, Doreen Watts & Elaine Harry from Minchinhampton. Second were Maureen Winrow & Joan Cruwys and third, Linda Duncan & Dee Carter, all from Cotswold Hills.   Although this is not a fund-raising event, there was a slight ‘excess of receipts over payments’ ….. so a small donation was made to Minchinhampton’s Bridge Club, as we always borrow their cloths and cards, and a further £25 was added to the County’s Centenary Fund.   Sadly there were no entries from the most southern or northern clubs …… maybe next year?   ACE FOR CIRENCESTER'S ANN WILLIAMS Cirencester member, Ann Williams, scored a hole in one whilst playing in a friendly match at Marlborough on Monday 6th April, just one week after her son Peter did the same at his home club in Wimbledon. Ann had waited thirty years for her first hole in one, but only five years for her second.

CIRENCESTER CELEBRATES WITH CLARE       Clare Hall with Cirencester's Lady Captain, Venetia Champniss                                                                     Clare Hall, from Cirencester Golf Club, is 100 years old today, March 2nd   There was a village party at her home over the weekend, a lunch party with close friends on THE DAY, and on Thursday, their ladies’ day, Cirencester plan a grand celebration to include a competition, lunch and reception for their onetime Captain, centenarian Clare.   Still as elegant as ever at 100, Clare started golf when she was 20. “A friend played … and he thought it would be a nice if I did too!” she says with a twinkle.   She has never looked back and was a single figure handicap before the war. She and her husband travelled widely … he was manager of the hotels’ division of the Commonwealth Development Corporation ….. and, whether at home or far away, golf was always part of Clare’s life.   “What could be nicer? You are out in the fresh air, taking exercise, looking at the view and then you come in for a nice cup of tea with your friends.”   What about the frustration so many of us feel from time to time with our game?   “It doesn’t really bother me if my swing goes off a bit.  In fact I rather enjoy trying to get it back!”   Her all round enjoyment of golf is shown also in the fact that she accompanied fellow Cirencester member, Norma Franklin, on several journeys into the course’s rough to look for, and make an inventory of, local wildflowers found on their golf course.   “We found about 80 different types,” Clare said. “Norma knew all their proper names, and did a painting with all of them included which now hangs at the club.”   She still plays 18 holes twice a week if possible …. “But I use a buggy now. I got one about eight years ago, but until then I walked.”  And all Gloucestershire golfers know that Cirencester is far from being a flat course.   Stories of Clare abound.   There was the time when she was about 80 and found she was rather cross that she was no longer in t he silver division. So she persuaded an old friend to go out and mark a card for her to try to get back into silver. It was midsummer and hot, but off they went …. and yes, Clare was successful!   Just two years ago she bought a new set of woods, having seen her colleagues enjoying the new technology.  She admits, they have given her a little more length!   And if you happen to visit her bathroom you may see a tiny blemish on the wall. Never satisfied with her swing, Clare often tries it out in front of the bathroom mirror, checking for imperfections. Not so long ago she got a little carried away ….  a small hole in the wall was the result!   A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLARE!                                                                     Centenarian Clare                                                                           The Cake ......made by Angela Canty                                               Presentation by Cirencester President Keith Davey                                      Live interview with Radio Gloucestershire ....and MINCINHAMPTON HONOURS CONNIE KAY on HER 90th BIRTHDAY There was a party atmosphere at Minchinhampton (New) last week as well!   Connie Kay was 90 on Friday (March 6th), a mere youngster compared with Cirencester’s centenarian, Clare Hall.   Minchinhampton’s celebrations began with a special 9-hole team competition on Tuesday, their ladies’ day.  Next there was a Bridge Afternoon on Thursday, arranged by Anne Sutton. And finally, a surprise party at the club  with friends from near and far, organised by Daphne Marchington and Angela Newman, on the day.   “It’s a black tie affair,” said Daphne, “Because Connie still loves getting dressed up!”   The evening was given a very special highlight when Minchinhampton President, Jolyon Gardiner, invited Connie to become a life member of the club.   Con began playing golf in 1946 when her husband-to-be bought her her first set of clubs.   She played for Minchinhampton’s Alliance Team and her name appears many times on the club’s honour boards. She has been both Lady Captain and Lady President , as well as Captain of the Gloucestershire Lady Captains’ Golf Society.   Any regrets? “Yes …. I have yet to have a hole-in-one!”                                                       Connie with winners on her Golf Day....                                   .......with Anne Sutton on her Bridge Afternoon......                                                                       .......and with friends from near & far on Party Night