GLCGS Results & REPORTS 2023
Challenge Match at The Bristol Golf Club
Monday 9th October 2023
My last match as lady Captain!
What an amazing day, perfect weather and such good company.
The Bristol looked after us so well. Bacon baps on arrival and a delicious meal after the match. The course was challenging and in excellent condition. Hearing the chatter and laughter from all participants before and after the game is delightful.
Thank you to everyone who played and to Maria for your brilliant organisation and hospitality.
Val Bland, Captain 2023
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glcgs v somerset
mendip springs golf club, 19th september 2023
The weather before the match made deciding whether to play or not difficult, so after travelling to Mendip Springs with gale force winds and rain forecast, we decided to go for it and play 15 holes. It was a convenient place to leave the course, most of us got round in the dry and were glad to finish on the 15th as storm clouds gathered. Gloucestershire ladies were made very welcome by Somerset, the course was challenging and in excellent condition. The two course meal was superb and enjoyed by very hungry ladies. To complete the day Gloucestershire Ladies won 4 1/2 to 3 1/2. Thank you to all of you who travelled and played, a very enjoyable day.
Val Bland, Captain 2023
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glcgs v gloucestershire men's captains
alexander park, 13th september 2023
The annual fixture with Gloucestershire County Men's Captains was held at Alexander Park Golf Club on Wednesday 13th September. It was a beautiful warm day when 20 ladies took on the friendly challenge of playing the men. It is always a very popular event and well subscribed. Laughter and friendly banter starts immediately on arrival between the two groups. The challenge to reach some greens in two was only achieved by one lady, Jan Axten-Rice, who was the only person to get on the 10th in two….well done! Following the match, an excellent 2 course meal was served by the AP staff. The ladies put up a good fight, but we lost overall to the men by 6 1/2 to 3 1/2, so the Gents retained the Claret Cup. Well done! We will try again next year.
Val Bland, Captain 2023
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GLCGS ANNUAL AWAY DAY 2023
KINGSDOWN GOLF CLUB, THURSDAY 31ST AUGUST
36 ladies from all over Gloucestershire descended on Kingsdown Golf Club for our Annual Away day. As usual for this event, we played a Bowmaker in teams of 3, selected at random. Judging by the decibel level of conversation both before and after the golf, everyone got on famously! The course was in lovely condition considering the heavy rain which unfortunately stayed with us the whole of the day. As I was organising this event, I went out last and arrived in last. One of the best moments was arriving into the clubhouse full of laughter and chatter. I do hope that all the ladies enjoyed the day as much as they seemed to.
Thank you very much to all the ladies who supported our Away Day and all of our other events in 2023, in spite of all your club commitments. Thank you to all at Kingsdown Golf Club who were so helpful and supplied us with delicious food.
Bowmaker Winners
62 - 1st - Gill Smith, Brenda Cockrane, Maria McNally
61 - 2nd - Rachael Paul, Marilyn Slater, Sarah Nannestad
60 - 3rd - Sue Bull, Jane Barrett, Stephanie Hopes
Nearest the Pin.
On the 4th Silver - Barbara Lewis
On the 17th. Silver - Jan Axten-Rice
Bronze - Brenda Cockrane
Nearest the Pin in 2
on the 13th
Silver - Rachael Paul
Bronze - Jane Barrett
our incoming captain, Michelle Craker and vice captain, Debbie Casling with Mel Squires, outgoing Past Captain:
Gloucestershire County Mens Captains 70th Anniversary Invitation day
Minchinhampton Golf Club, Thursday 27 th July
Captain Val and Vice Captain Michelle were invited to play in the Invitation Day, along with many past captains from several counties, as far away as Devon. We were the only two ladies playing. To our surprise we won the visitors' prize best Stableford score and Michelle won a nearest the pin. It was a very enjoyable day.
Thank you Gents, for the invite.
Val Bland, Captain 2023
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glcgs v gloucestershire vets
south herefordshire golf club, 20th july 2023
A bright day and warm welcome awaited the ladies to South Herefordshire Golf Club. Many had not played the course before.
A trophy had been given by Lorna Sparkes to be played for each year, and the Lady Past Captains had not won it for several years.
So, with high expectations and a tough course in front of us, the Greensomes match began.
Everyone battled hard in good spirits amongst many friends, and the result was a halved match - a good outcome for both sides.
Vets decided to let Past Captains hold the trophy….I understand they were fed up cleaning it….. no problem, I have a good silver cleaner at home, and as Lorna said: there is always next year 😀😀🙏🙏
Thank you everyone who played, and your continued support
Val Bland, Captain 2023
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GLCGS v Wiltshire
Filton Golf Club, 13TH JULY 2023
Rain greeted us as we arrived at Filton. As we stepped onto the first tee at 12 midday the sun shone and it stayed dry and warm all day.
All the matches were tightly fought, with several losing on the last hole.
The result was 5/3 to Wiltshire.
Filton welcomed us with coffee, the usual bacon rolls and a superb buffet after the match to suit all dietary needs.
All ladies enjoyed the Filton course, it was in very good condition with excellent greens.
Thank you to all the GLoucestershire ladies who supported me and played in it.
Val Bland, Captain 2023.
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Gloucestershire Ladies Past Captains 2 day Tour to Dorset
Tuesday 27th June to Thursday 29th June 2023
One of our fixtures in 2023 was to play Dorset away, and Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club was going to be the venue, a considerable distance away, much too long a journey to arrive and play in one day. So the idea of a small 2 day tour was mentioned amongst lady golfers.
After talking to the Dorset Captain, my husband and I did a trip to the Bridport area and with the help of Sue, Dorset Captain, the hunt for accommodation was on.
I did not realise how difficult it was going to be to find twin bedded rooms for 16 ladies! It was in June and in a popular seaside area, but in the end we found accommodation in two hotels minutes from each other.
The first day we played Lyme Regis golf club, the sun shone, well worth a visit.
The journey to our accommodation was only 9 miles so plenty of time to settle in, before dinner at 7.30pm in Haddon House Hotel. The Captain of Dorset joined us.
What a dinner that was, in a private dining room. The food was superb, with good choices for everyone. Lots of good food, wine and laughter!
The next morning there was plenty of time to explore West Bay, a small seaside village where episodes of Broadchurch were filmed. One of our ladies was brave enough to take a dip in the sea!!!
Wednesday
A warm welcome greeted us at West Dorset Golf Club, the weather stayed dry until the last few holes….it was windy along the cliff tops, the views spectacular.
Not a easy course, especially as we had not played it before, but a must if you are in the area and like a challenge. We did come second.
Sue, the Dorset Captain, in her speech after the match said how much she had enjoyed our visit and said it was the highlight of her year as Lady Captain.
Each lady received a small gift as a memento of our visit.
GLCGS presented me with beautiful flowers as a thank you for organising the trip.
It was a real pleasure and a joyful 2 days with a great bunch of Gloucestershire Ladies.
Thank you
Val Bland, Captain 2023
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summer meeting
Alexander park, 21st june 2023
This year’s event was held at Alexander Park Golf Club, the home club of our GLCGS Captain Val Bland.
I had decided to travel up the day before to help Val set up, plus there was mention of a pre-event dinner! I must here endorse the facilities at the Club. A well-equipped gym, indoor pool and smart changing rooms. The hotel rooms were small but perfectly formed. Worth a visit.
Val, her husband Jim, Susie Tolson (Treasurer) and myself set up the raffle table, goody bags (including delicious handmade cookies by LC Val), prepared the cards, confirmed the numbers and catering arrangements. Time for a relaxing drink and a trip to the local Italian, thanks to Jim for lifts both ways.
We had been having very hot weather and, sure enough, the day itself dawned sunny and warm. The 31 playing ladies arrived to a friendly reception desk manned by Jim Bland and Cathy Dallimore. Cards and goody bags issued, a bacon or egg roll eaten then it was off to the first tee to be given the lowdown by our starter Cliff Hall. He was pleased to help, thus avoiding helping with the plans for his daughter’s wedding on the coming Saturday! Later on we were amply supplied with bottled water on the 10th tee by Val, that was very welcome indeed.
It proved to be a tough day for lots of us out on the links. Alexander Parks’ water holes proved tricky to most. The Nearest the Pin holes were also both rather challenging. The Silver Division long 6th hole had the flag tucked away and the Bronze Division 15th hole was over water. Sefton Hooton was not defeated by the 6th’s difficulty, very well done. I managed to overcome the 15th with the words “temper, Barnes Wallace, and, the hill at the back” coming into play there!
Once we had all returned our cards it was over to scorer Mike Manktelow to calculate the results while we enjoyed our hot meal. I have attached below a copy of the results he prepared for Val to use at the presentation.
At the presentation Val was delighted to see that all ladies had stayed behind and she noted that the friendly, chatty atmosphere was most pleasing. She offered many thanks to the helpers, the staff at Alexander Park, to the ladies for playing, and we sang Happy Birthday to Jane Barrett who was celebrating her birthday. Val announced that £145 was raised for Gloucestershire Girls Golf thanks to raffle ticket purchases.
There was a good mix of new Lady Captains and more established players in the field and this was pleasingly reflected in the prizes. Mena Terrell (Gross winner) of Lilley Brook offered a vote of thanks on behalf of us all to Val.
RESULTS - CAPTAINS SALVER: MENA TERRELL CHAMBERLAIN CUP: HEATHER EARL
SUMMER BOWL: SANDRA ROGERS BENNION TROPHY: JANE BARRETT STABLEFORD SILVER: GERALDINE KELLY STABLEFORD BRONZE: ANN SEDMAN
NEAREST THE PINS: 6TH SEFTON HOOTON 15TH MICHELLE CRAKER
Michelle Craker
Vice Captain 2023
2023 prizewinners
MENA TERRELL, CAPTAINS SALVER HEATHER EARL, CHAMBERLAIN CUP
jane barrett, bennion tropy sandra rogers, summer bowl
geraldine kelly, stableford silver ann Sedman, stableford bronze
nearest the pins: sefton hooton 6th michelle craker 15th
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GlCGS v Gwent
Forest of Dean Golf Club, 14th June 2023
It was hot!!
With a lot of last minute changes in the team, we managed to assemble 16 willing ladies to play in the heat. Armed with lots of extra water and umbrellas up for shade, we set off at 12 midday. ('Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun' comes to mind). Welcome shade was found under trees as much as possible. The course was in excellent condition and the staff at Forest of Dean looked after us very well under a difficult situation for them all. Our playing partners from Gwent were warm and friendly, a joy to play with.
GLCGS managed a win 5 1/2 to 2 1/2
Well done ladies and thank you.
Val Bland, Captain 2023
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GLCGS v oxfordshire
witney lakes, 22nd may 2023
This was our first match this year. What a warm welcome awaited us and the sun shone…..
The course was in excellent condition with lots of interesting, challenging holes.
Oxfordshire won overall
5 matches to 3.
Val Bland, Captain 2023
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committee away day
the monmouthshire, 5th april 2023
12 of the elite group of Past Committee members gathered at Monmouthshire Golf Club for an away day with a forecast that was not inviting us onto the golf course. However, in true GLCGS style we headed out to play, with heavy showers that passed through quickly and a chilly breeze. We were all glad to get back to the warmth of the club house and an excellent meal. We received a very warm welcome from the all the staff who were outstanding, and enjoyed a very sociable time once we had warmed up!
The competition was an individual Stableford and was won by the Past Lady Captain 2018 Barbara Smyth by quite a margin, it was a great achievement in the current weather conditions.
Past Captain
Mel Squires
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WELCOME MEETING FOR NEW LADY CAPTAINS
BRICKHAMPTON GOLF CLUB ON MONDAY 27th MARCH
Well some one was praying hard and the Golf Gods certainly favoured us yesterday! After concerns that we would not be able to play because of the excessive rain we all have had for months now, the ladies arrived at Brickhampton with the sun shining and it was warm. This annual event was well attended by 9 new captains, committee members and some supportive ladies from Brickhampton. Everyone was in good spirits and there was lots of chatter and laughter.
The 9 hole course was in remarkable condition and all enjoyed playing. The morning ended with delicious sandwiches and chips.
Michelle did a brisk trade in selling GLCGS uniform, and Val gave a brief outline of the society and events coming up. It is always good to welcome new captains, and to show them that the society can be supportive, as well as offering friendly matches and other events throughout the year which they can play in.
Thank you to all for making my first event so successful.
Val Bland
Captain, 2023
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AGM 2023
The 2023 AGM was held at BAWA Health and Leisure for the second time. As last year, it was a very welcoming venue for our meeting and lunch. It was lovely to see old friends again after the long winter.
Our 2022 captain, Mel Squires (Knowle) handed over to our 2023 captain Val Bland (Alexander Park). Mel will, of course, do another year on the committee as past captain. New committee members were approved: Michelle Craker of Cotswold Edge as our new vice-captain and Susie Tolson of Knowle as treasurer, to take over from Sue Dyke who has served us for 5 years. A plea was made for a volunteer to take over as secretary, as Pat Spencer has served since 2019.
A proposal to allow past captains from other counties, who have moved into Gloucestershire and are now members of our clubs, to join the society, was carried by a large majority.
