Captain's Newsletter - 31 December 2020

Hi Ladies

It is New Years Eve and my last day as your Captain of 2020 a year we will never forget. It has been an honour to be Captain of this fantastic supportive Ladies Section, I am convinced there is no other Ladies Section like ours. I wish you all a Happy and a Safe New Year.

I thought I had written my last newsletter last week but there is some news to relay to you this week.

IG/WHS Sync Issue
There has been a slight error on our IG link to the WHS platform where some of your email and DoB data has been removed following a sync issue. This has now been resolved, however some members may find that they will need to go back into IG and repeat the process as before. Please check your own status. I personally have found that if you also go on My England Golf and register or download the My England Golf App and register your data is then on England Golf/WHS. If anyone needs any help with this please contact me I am very happy to help.

Lauren, one of our much loved members of the ladies section and an ex Captain will soon be leaving us for pastures new, we will all miss her but wish her well in her new home, I know many of us will keep in touch with her.

I have just taken delivery this morning of a new pair of winter golf boots, waterproof trousers still to come, courtesy of you all thank you so much for your generosity. Will be trying the boots out on Saturday.

Good luck to Pauline and her Committee 2021 x

Stay Safe Everyone

Happy New Year
Rogie
Ladies Captain 2020

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 21 December 2020

Good Afternoon Ladies

January 2020 seems so far away now when I was excited as I had lots of plans for the year ahead, no one could have predicted the year we were all about to experience. 2020 will go down in history.
Margaret referred to being Captain as being in the hot seat, my hot seat was in the garden throughout our lovely summer when we went into lockdown and when I was organising our weekly shuffles.

It certainly was not the year I had hoped for but these were unprecedented times and I still had a job to do making sure we all played some golf together and have some fun.  We have managed to play for 18 Cups and Trophies leaving 12 unplayed. A presentation will be held as soon as it is safe to do so.

Most improved Player goes to Jacky Swanson who’s handicap tumbled another 10 strokes this year putting her handicap index at 25.3 amazing well done Jacky.

My choice for Club Woman 2020 goes to Lin Goodey who always works so hard for the Ladies section and organises all the competitions and now payments on IG. She has been a huge support to me throughout this year and I am sure you will agree she goes above and beyond what is expected and I am very grateful for all the help she has given me this year, big thank you Lin.

I would like to thank Pauline for her support and friendship I know she will be a very capable Captain next year, thank you also to my Committee and Volunteers who have all been very supportive throughout this unprecedented year. We have been a good team and had some laughs.

I would like to wish Pauline and her team all the very best for 2021. Have fun.

I would like to thank everyone for their support and donations for my charity this year.

I wish you all a happy Christmas and a safe new year

Pauline will now take over the Newsletter

Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 12 December 2020

Thursdays Christmas Greensomes

On a nice dry but cold day 37 of us played the Traditional Christmas Greensomes, is it really that time of the year already? What great fun I had with my playing partners, the golf though was a little up and down but very enjoyable. The winners with a Stableford score of 36 points was Lin Goodey & Anne Lawrence, second place with 35 Stableford points was Helen Leigh & Joan Whittaker well done Ladies I will see you next week with your prizes.

As you know Pauline presented me with some gifts after the game from you all for my Captains year and I was overwhelmed by your generosity, my heartfelt thanks to you all for your support and kindness. Unfortunately due to circumstances only a few ladies were able to be present in the conservatory at separate tables, but we were served with free mince pies, yummy. 

 
Under these difficult circumstances my thanks go to Pauline who has managed to put together a lovely memory photo book and if that was not difficult enough with no events, she has ingeniously produced a card with all your heart warming thanks and good wishes at a time when it was impossible to get you all to sign the card. 

 
It has been a difficult year for everyone but we are a strong supportive section and there is no better club to be a member of.

Thank You
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 7 December 2020

Hi Ladies

If you were one of the 44 Ladies who braved the awful weather on Thursday in the freezing cold and continuous rain to play the Hattersley Cup then well done you, that is how much we were all looking forward to getting back to golf. The intention was to play 18 holes but the weather conditions deteriorated so much that only 9 holes were achieved by all. A very well deserved draw was the best result given the conditions we all faced. A big thank you to Bev Hattersley for playing and presenting the Cup to Pauline and I, socially distanced in the bar.

Greensomes Thursday 10th December
There are 40 Ladies playing the Greensomes on Thursday with a prize for the winning pair, don’t forget to send me your score card via my personal WhatsApp. Christmas jumpers or fancy dress is optional with a prize for the best of either. Weather permitting we will play 18 holes but rain is forecast so it may well be 9 holes, a decision on the day. As this is an alternate shot pairs competition please remember to use your own ball at all times.

Stableford Qualifier Thursday 17th December
We hope to play the December Stableford qualifier weather permitting and providing any issues with WHS have been resolved.

Scratch and Handicap Knockouts
​​​​​​​If you Qualified for the Knockouts you have until the end of February to play the first round, if your name comes first you will need to contact your opponent with some dates. Good luck everyone.

Play Safe, Stay Safe
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 19 November 2020

Hi Ladies

I hope you are all staying safe and well.

We are now two weeks into lockdown have you found plenty of jobs to do to keep you occupied, or are you walking, relaxing or doing online exercise classes, I have to confess to have done all of those things.

have you maybe learnt a new skill or done something you have never done before? In the last lockdown I decorated the hall stairs and landing balanced on a plank for the high bits, decorating is not something I would normally do but found it quite therapeutic. This week I prepared the ground and put grass seed down then put netting over it and hope it grows, something else I have never done.

Monday 23rd November Parliament will debate "Exempt golf courses from the list of venues required to close due to Covid-19" after 257,267 people signed the England golf petition. Once the debate has happened if you signed the petition you will receive a video and the transcript, so lets keep our fingers crossed.

Thursday 3rd December we hope we will be able to go ahead with the Hattersley Cup, it will depend on what the rules are on our return, I believe Boris will announce this next week. Weather permitting this will be over 18 holes.

Thursday 10th December Christmas Greensomes as is customary dressing up is optional but there will be a prize for the best dressed pairs outfit and a prize for the best christmas jumper. Sign up for this will not open until we know the rules.

Once the new rules for returning to golf have been announced we will know whether we will be able to have our christmas mince pies and mulled wine after greensomes. Lets hope there will be good news in my next newsletter.

Stay safe
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 9 November 2020

Hi Ladies

Oh dear it did not take long for lockdown fever to creep in, i forgot it was Sunday yesterday so i did not do a newsletter! Better late than never.

I hope you are all staying safe and well.

After playing golf on three days running before lockdown i was thankful for a couple of days rest, now I am itching to play again so tomorrow we will take a club and balls to the playing fields for practice. I also have my newly acquired (in the first lockdown) chipping net in the garden.

We are very lucky with the weather at the moment some lovely bright and fairly warm Autumn days to help us through this second lockdown. I have been tidying up my garden and putting away into the greenhouse some of my plants in pots for the winter, it is ironic that in the first lockdown i was getting everything out for the Spring. Walking is still our main form of exercise on these Autumn days and I am seeing some of the same scenery I saw back in April but in Autumn colours. I did my first online Pilates class today one of many I am sure in the coming weeks, it felt good and i do not know why I stopped as i really enjoyed it.

Eight of us from the Pearson squad went to Mill Green for a practice round on Monday 2nd November. The course was very very muddy so quite challenging but we enjoyed ourselves, so much so that my group, Pauline, Karen and Jacky Swanson played the last hole in the dark! Mill Green and The Melbourne matches will now be rescheduled.

WHS is now in place, not without it's problems but hopefully by the time we return to golf all will be fine.

Stay Safe
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 1 November 2020

Good Evening Ladies

Well I do not know about you but I did not see that coming, a month long lockdown. Personally I have to agree with England Golf CEO that I can not understand the government’s rationale for closing golf courses at this time when they are actively encouraging safe, responsible outdoor exercise for households or two individuals. Let’s hope England Golf’s challenge of the government’s decision brings us some good news by the end of the week.

Pearson’s
We will be going ahead with our practice round at Mill Green on Monday 2nd November weather permitting.

Tuesday 27th October
On a very wet and windy day only a few ladies actually completed 18 holes the rest of us only managed 9 holes so well done to you brave ladies who carried on to do 18. The winner of the front 9 which was stroke play was Helen with nett 37 The back 9 was won by Ann Kane with 18 Stableford points.

Pauline and I had planned a Winter Non Invitation day for Thursday 26th November with a team game, lots of prizes, silent Auction and tea & scones to raise some funds for Pauline’s Charities but like the AGM Fun Game and the Hattersley Cup all in November unfortunately these will not now go ahead.

Proposed Ladies Committee 2021
​​​​​​​Thank you to those of you that voted for the Proposed Ladies Committee 2021 we had 52 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstentions.

All of the Ladies Committee Minutes can be found on IG under information, committee meeting minutes.

Tip to avoid slow play
​​​​​​​Keep up with pace of play and if loosing ground on group in front let people behind go through.

Stay Safe, Play Safe
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 25 October 2020

Hi Ladies

First i must apologize for not reporting the amount that was raised on our Fun Charity Day, we raised a staggering £960 which included donations from Ladies who did not attend for various reasons. I wish to thank all you lovely ladies who have donated and made it possible for me to be able to give my charity "Crossroads Care" something at the end of the year. Final figures will be released at the end of November.

IG Payments
Please remember you must have your IG account topped up now to be able to enter and play in any competition dated after Monday 2nd November. As a rule it will be no funds, no entry. If you need any help with this please see a member of the committee as soon as possible who will be able to help you.

Tuesday 20th November
Not every ones favorite format but a quick round for winter golf, Vicky and Mary Harrison obviously a good foursomes pair had a score of 76 with Margaret and Linda Anderson close behind with 78. We all managed to remember to play our own ball as per Covid 19 rules for foursomes.

Pearson Practice
Linda is organising a Pearson Practice at Mill Green on Monday 2nd November, she has also set up a Pearson WhatsApp group to keep you informed and will notify you of times for the Practice and the following match. If you have Matchplay experience and a handicap between 14 - 34 and wish to join the squad please contact Linda Brown.

Fun 4BBB Thursday 5th November
As you will all remember this would have been the day of the AGM so to mark that we will have tea/coffee and cake in the conservatory, for only the second time this year. The cake is courtesy of management as we would normally have wine and nibbles at the AGM. Many thanks to Barry for organising this. Go to the conservatory after you come in from playing and you will be served on a rolling basis . There will be a prize for the winning pair.

Hattersley Cup Thursday 11th November
The battle of the Captains Team verses the Vice Captains Team who will win this year? sign up now open so come on get signed up so we can do the draw for the teams, who's team will you be in? Soup and roll after playing on a rolling basis in the conservatory and find out if you were on the winning team.

As customary Ladies Winter Golf goes to 9 holes in December, for those that wish to continue and do 18 holes check when signing up that someone else in the group also wishes to continue.

Tip to avoid slow play
One person tee off whilst others mark cards, not relying on playing partners to always be first because you are not ready, cards can be marked after you have tee'd off.

Stay Safe Play Safe
RogieLadies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 18 October 2020

Hello Ladies

We are on a count down to the WHS. We now have a provisional course and slope rating which comes into effect on Monday 2nd November 2020, you may already have seen it displayed at the club.

IG payment guide will be released shortly by the club management to guide you on how to top up your account before November 2nd to pay competition fee's for Tuesday, Thursday and Weekend competitions.

Pearson winter matchplay
The Pearson squad have all their matches booked for this winter season. We still welcome any Ladies with match play experience with a handicap between 14-34 to sign up to the squad. The dates are up on the Ladies notice board outside the locker room if you are available for any of the dates please put your name up.

Scratch and Friendly matches 2021
These matches are all in the process of being booked and confirmed for the 2021 season.

Cups and Trophies
If you still have a Cup or Trophy that you won last year could you please return it to me ASAP.

7 Day Members Winter Golf
The Mixed Winter League starts on November 7th and runs right through the winter season. Ladies book via the Men's competitions sign up in the usual way, use your WhatsApp group to contact other Ladies to play with or just sign up for mixed golf. Fees will be taken through your IG account as normal.

Captaincy 2021
I have thought long and hard about this and even had some sleepless nights but I have made a decision not to continue as Captain for 2021. Pauline is more than happy to take the reins on January 1st 2021 with my blessing and support, she will be a great Captain. It has not been the year we all expected with none of our usual major charity events or fun events but it is the same the world over. I will of course hope to hold my AGM and prize presentation when it is safe to do so in 2021. Thank you all for your support in this very difficult year.

Continue to stay safe, play safe and happy golfing.
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 11 October 2020

Winter rules are now in place which will help to protect the course after a week of rain and a two day closure left the course very wet and muddy.

A big thank you to you all for snapping up the Christmas Cards on Tuesday and raising £225 for my Charity "Crossroads Care" that is fantastic.

Thursdays competition sign up are now back to three weeks in advance. we are still hoping to have Tuesday block booking back very soon so we are able to pay competition fees via our IG accounts. Top up your IG accounts before 2nd November to pay for your competitions, if you need any help speak to a committee member who will be able to guide you through.

The Pearson Squad needs all our experienced match players with handicaps 14 to 34 this could be our year with the WHS adjusting our handicaps according to the course we are playing. contact Linda Brown if you would like to join the squad.

There have been a lot of complaints over the last couple of weeks about slow play, please remember to keep up with the group in front of you, if you can no longer see them the chances are you have become slow, you will need to pick up the pace or let the group behind you through when possible.

Daily Mail Foursomes 2020 qualifying competition will not be played. Due to this years circumstances only one round of 2019 got played in February, Lin Goodey and Caroline Kaswaurere played Knebworth away but were unfortunately knocked out. Round two has now been scheduled to be played in February 2021 with the final in October 2021.

Good news we will play Rogie's Foursomes instead with a prize for the winning pair, we will play by Daily Mail Rules maximum handicap of 30 if your handicap is higher you play off 30 so open to everyone.

Stay Safe Everyone
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 4 October 2020

Autumn is definitely upon us what a change in the weather, one day i played in shorts the next day the weather turned and i have been in trousers ever since, i really do not like to see the back of summer and the light nights. Rain has closed the course this weekend i would suspect the course was so dry that the amount of rain we have had over the last few days took time to soak in.

I have some beautiful Christmas cards hand painted by our very talented artist Mandy Unger for sale and all proceeds to go to my charity "Crossroads Care" please see me on Tuesdays/Thursdays if you wish to purchase these, they are very special for 2020.

Two of our lady members, Di Alford and Maureen Martin have had successful operations and are recuperating at home now, we send you our best wishes ladies and hope it will not be too long before we see you at the club.

At the latest Club Committee meeting it was agreed that the Men's and Ladies sections would now adopt payment of competition entry fees via IG which will go live on Monday 2nd November. The senior section at this time are not charging competition fees so therefore will not be adopting this at the moment.

Lin has done a brilliant job of keeping track of what everyone owes over the last three months and the committee are very grateful to her for taking on this task on top of the responsibilities of Competition secretary, this was never intended to be a permanent arrangement. But with no let up on restrictions due to Covid, the alternative for payment of competition fees being paid through IG for the future is the other option.

Ladies, contrary to what you may have heard you do not need a paypal account, you can top up your IG account with a debit or credit card or paypal. The committee are in the process of producing some notes to help but in the mean time do not hesitate to ask myself or Pauline for guidance.

Mens section Charity Day Saturday 10th October sign up for this is open on IG. Ladies it is a 4bbb £20pp all donated to Paul's charity Mind in Mid Herts, lots of prizes to be won 1st, 2nd & 3rd, nearest the pins and longest drives.

Stay Safe All
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 28 September 2020

How the weather has changed in less than a week, glorious sunshine at the beginning of this week and now a maximum of 13 degrees what a shock to the system. Looks like we are in for a chilly Autumn.

Captains Day
A day we were not sure would happen this year but 126 happy members went out on Saturday, it was wet at times, windy and rather cold but it did not stop us from enjoying the day, golf was unpredictable along with the weather. The only team of juniors playing Keeley Morris, James Bearman, Lewis Karim and Dylan Brockhurst were not put off by the conditions of the day and came in with a fantastic score of 93 points taking 1st place, second place went to a team from the mens section. Ladies longest drive on the 6th was won by Anne Lawrence and the nearest the pin on the 12th was won by Linda Brown, that is not our most favourite hole, well done ladies.

Tuesday Fun Games
From Tuesday 29th September can you please whatsApp your score cards to Hazel instead of me please. Hazel and Julie will be taking over doing the results and Anne will be providing the prizes. Thank you ladies for your support.

Hand Painted Christmas Cards
I know your probably thinking, christmas cards it is a bit early isn't it to be thinking of them but these are special, unique, hand painted and limited editions by one of our very talented ladies Mandy Unger, who painted them in lockdown with an NHS and family theme and has donated them to me to sell with all proceeds to go to my charity. My heartfelt thanks go to Mandy for this very generous offer you are an absolute gem.

AGM and Presentation
You may already have read on IG that the AGM's and prize presentation's are postponed until it is safe to hold them. We can look forward to having a very big celebration in 2021.

Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 20 September 2020

Well another great golfing week in the sun.

Pearson Winter Matchplay
If you have a handicap between 14 & 34 with Matchplay experience come and join the Pearson squad. First match is on 9th November away to Mill Green. A team of 7 Ladies will be picked from the squad to represent Chesfielddown. Contact Linda Brown if you think you may be eligible and wish to be in the squad.

Charity Fun Day Amount Raised

You are a wonderfully generous group of Ladies, on the day we raised £960 Donations are still coming in. I wish to thank each and everyone of you who has donated to my Charity, Crossroads Care, in these very uncertain times.

MacKnight Pairs

The pair of Ladies with the highest score on the day was Paula Moore and Margret Gentle with 46 Stableford points but unfortunately Paula has not done the relevant amount of qualifiers to win any Cups or Trophies very well done Ladies. The winners of the Trophy are Helen Leigh and Katy Cook with 45 Stableford points on countback from Vicky Thompson and Lynn Thayer also Ann Grist and Karen Morton, greats scores everyone.

Chris Leary Chalice

The person with the highest score was again Paula Moore with 40 Stableford points but again unfortunately is not eligible to win the Trophy so sorry Paula. The winner of the Trophy on 39 Stableford points was Julie Retallick and runner up Sally Weekes with 38 Stableford points on countback from three others on 38. Well done everyone some good scores this week.

Happy Golfing
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 13 September 2020

Captains Day Saturday 26th September sign up 7.30am Monday 14th September, Team Alliance 2 scores to count, bacon roll, tea/coffee on a rolling basis on arrival, 1st and 2nd prizes, nearest the plans and longest drives. Come and join in the fun.

Well ladies what a great week we have had with the Charity Day, Club Championship and The Ward Pairs all in the sunshine.

A very BIG Thank You for your support on Charity Day and all your very generous donations to my charity Crossroads Care, we could not have asked for a better day the sun shone on us all day and we enjoyed our tea/coffee, cake and presentation on the patio. On the day we raised a good amount Which is brilliant news for my charity in these very difficult times for us all, figures being calculated now.

Another wonderful day saw round 2 of the Club Championship, a very different day to round 1, nail bitting stuff on the 18th with Kathy Dale winning the tittle for the second year running, commiserations to Jackie Reid taking second place just one point behind Kathy, well played ladies.

The Angela Chatterton Handicap Trophy was won by Nikki Brooke who had two very good rounds with second place going to Caroline Roadnight on countback from Caroline Kaswaurere just two points behind Nikki, both Nikki and Caroline R had well deserved handicap cuts. Well played ladies.

The Ward Pairs was played on Sunday on another beautiful day, it was great fun playing mixed Pairs with the men's section, my partner, men's Captain Paul Taylor and myself came in with a very respectable score in the fourties but the winners a young junior member Kelley Morris and her dad Stuart Morris won with a tremendous score of 48 Stableford points, runners up Caroline Kaswaurere and Mark Osbourne with 44 points, Brilliant.

Pearson Team please sign up we have our group allocation please contact Linda Brown if you wish to play this winter season.

​​​​​​​Teams we are drawn against for Pearsons are:
Mill Green
West Herts
The Melbourne Club ( Brocket Hall)

Ladies new season clothing in the pro shop have you had a look if not why not?

Happy Golfing
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 29 August 2020

A big congratulations to Jackie Reid for winning the Eclectic Cup with a very impressive Gross 74 and a very well deserved handicap cut and an ESR bringing her handicap down to 10.6.

Congratulations also goes to Ann Kane for winning the Eclectic Nett prize on count back from Debbie Foley with a nett 58 and a well deserved handicap cut bringing her handicap down to 40.5.

Commiserations go to the two runners up, Gross, Annette Gillette on count back from Sarah Faircliff and Nett, Debbie Foley.

Thank you all so much for signing up for the Charity Fun Day we have 44 Ladies playing so it should be fun, unfortunately no presentation afterwards. The tea and cake are on a rolling basis so when you finish your round please go to the bar to collect, Pauline and i will come round and collect your scores from you then. All we need is some warm dry weather it has been ordered and the sun dance performed!

please pay your £15 directly into the ladies account ASAP thank you. CDLS 40-28-14 81769642.

You will receive from me tomorrow an email with the name of your playing partner do not forget you will be swapping handicaps! Lin will book our tee times. Pauline and i will be coming round on the day to take photos and to see how you are fairing on your "new" handicaps.

The course is looking good for the Club Championship next week, good luck everyone the most prestigious competition of the year.

Happy Golfing
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 24 August 2020

There will be no organised golf on Tuesday 1st September due to Monday being a bank holiday and as customary the seniors will play their weekly competitions on the Tuesday. If you wish to play you will be able to book yourselves a tee time after 12 noon.

MacKnight Pairs Tuesday 16th Sept - There will be more info on the Shuffle for this competition next week.

There were some great scores on Thursday in the Anne Warner/ Maureen Eastwood with two Ladies getting a well deserved handicap cut.  Pat Ward one of our lowest handicapers was cut to 9.9 and Jacky Swanson who also got an ESR of 2 shots bringing her handicap down to 22.7 very well done ladies.

A very special congratulations also goes to Annette Gillette who got a hole in one on the ninth hole on Thursday.  Well done Annette!

Tuesday 8th September CHARITY FUN DAY Prizes,tea & cake and Donation to my charity £15

Don't miss out lots of prizes and fun to be had. Let me know if you would like to join the Captains Shuffle for this day, email me or WhatsApp me by Sunday 30th August 6pm.

More info on the Ladies notice board. Let's hope the weather stays good for all our competitions through September which includes the Club Championship.

Happy Golfing

Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 14 June 2020

How lovely it has been to play some social golf with our friends and getting that much needed exercise in the sunshine.

It is good to see you all enjoying the Captains Shuffle it has been a great way of keeping the section playing together and allowing us all to play with different partners each time.

Tuesday 9th June
Team game 321 Some great scores with Helen L, Lin G and Julie R winning with 85 stableford points and very close runners up were Pat W, Rogie T and Ann G with 84 points, well done everyone who played.

Thursday 11th June
Individual stableford Winner was me with 37 points, no one is more surprised than me after oversleeping and getting to the club at the very last minute not at all ready to play golf and wearing shorts when everyone else was in waterproofs it was a little chilly and a few showers but I survived!! Thank heavens for summer golf when the ball just keeps running!! Hazel B was runner up with 36 points on countback from Rosie W. I hope you have all enjoyed your golf this week.

If you wish to join in with any of the Competition Shuffles please reply to my email that goes out to you all on a Sunday evening.

Many of you will have played and experienced the new Hole Lift Cups, purchased by the Men's Section Captain Paul Taylor, they enable the ball to be fully holed, a big improvement on the original Cups. The men's section have been very keen to return to competition golf as soon as possible.

Competition Golf is coming back in July we will play our Monthly Medals and Stableford only, as per the diary, we will not have our block bookings for the time being but we can continue to organise ourselves with the Shuffles for those that wish.

6am-9am 2balls only
9am-1pm 3balls only
1pm-8pm 4balls

The Club are hoping, by following the government guidelines, to be able to open the bar, Gym and studio all at reduced capacity abiding by social distancing around July 4th when the government has said this can happen.  The Builders should be back onsite Monday 15th June to finish the bar area.

County cards are available now from reception please pick one up next time you play.

I wish to thank all the Ladies that have volunteered to do some early evening marshalling some of us have already done an evening, some have even caught guys trying to sneak onto the course!

Please continue to stay alert and safe

Happy Golfing 🏌🏻‍♀️
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 24 May 2020

Well on the 12th May I was so excited I could not sleep, I had booked a tee time for the next morning, golf was back on after eight long weeks, Hooray! I was going to play with another real person and have a right royal gossip.

Standing on the first tee was an absolute treat, the sun was shinning the fairway looked very green and I was chatting to my golf partner, this was heaven. I must confess the golf was'nt too bad either, long may it last.

Our thanks go to the green keepers for all their hard work in the last eight weeks, one told me he was glad to see us all back on the course, and to Barry for all the behind the scenes organising to ensure our safety on our return to golf.

LADIES SECTION UPDATE

We have made the decision that all the Friendlies, the Summer Knockouts and the Away Day will be postponed until next year. We will however try to play for some of the Cups and Trophies where possible. The Winter Scratch and Handicap Knockout will however be extended to 30th June to allow the finals to take place.

The two new Ladies to the section Cheryl S and Lynn SC are playing with some of you now, thanks to Hazel B setting up another WhatsApp group to find a golf partner now that we are back on the course, brilliant idea Hazel.

The weather continues to be kind to us so go and enjoy the golf, look forward to seeing you out there over the coming weeks.

Stay Alert and Safe

Happy Gofling
Rogie Taylor,  Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 9 May 2020

Hello Ladies

I hope you all enjoyed your VE Day celebrations, I know there were lots of planned parties with neighbours in gardens and driveways, lots of baking and with the weather being wonderful on this very special day it was memorable.

To say these are challenging and unprecedented times this captaincy year is something of an understatement, but it has certainly illustrated how golf is about far more than just hitting a little white ball with a long stick. As a section we have been active in staying in touch with members via WhatsApp, emails, phone calls and virtual meetings and coffee mornings. How did we ever manage before the likes of WhatsApp and zoom. People are still the most important thing about golf by a country mile.

Hope you are still managing to keep occupied with your exercise classes, golfing tips and practising them in your gardens and some of you I know are still sewing, now for the Sue Ryder charity.

Are you a Marathon supporter and was disappointed that it had to be cancelled. Well Kathy D is, so decided that we should have a 2.6 Chesfield golf challenge where you have to hit 26 golf balls directly into a chipping net ( or bowl/bucket if no net) from 2.6 metres and how long will it take you?

Some of us didn't even post our scores because it took too long, me included, but others had very impressive times with Debbie F recording a fantastic time of 2.24 Hazel B 3.37 and Kathy D 5.40 I expect to see great chipping on the course now Ladies. I have since been practising and can achieve a more respectable time, long may it last.

Do you like quizzes? Test your Bird knowledge with this quiz, I will give you 10 clues today and you must find the 10 birds that each clue relates to, 10 more clues to find 10 more birds will follow in the next newsletter. There will be a prize for the most correct answers in the case of a tie there will be tie breaker questions until we have a winner.

Sorry Golden Snails but Marica informed me that you have already done this quiz but she said you might like a rules quiz instead!!!!!

    Clue       Number of letters

1 Found on a chess board    4
2 10 Royal angler 10    9
3 When a cat gets up    9
4 Could mean a death sentence    8
5 Small move left or right      6 & 4
6 Brightly coloured tool    6 & 6
7 Eating action    7
8 Black & white dog shows pleasure    4 & 7
9 Call 15 21 26 05 12 4 5    4 & 5
10 Royal angler    10

If you would like to join one of the WhatsApp groups please contact Hazel B or Jackie R, they are a fun way to stay in touch with other Lady members.

A Happy Birthday was sent to two Ladies who had big birthdays in lockdown Nicola A and Helen L, I know many of you have wished them a Happy Birthday through WhatsApp and sent cards.

Helen certainly won't forget this birthday, while celebrating in her front garden with six neighbours all sitting 2 metres apart this quiet celebration turned into something else when someone called the police. The riot police turned up to break up what they obviously thought was going to be a riotous party to find, in Helen's words, eight pensioners having cake and bubbly, hilarious, everyone saw the funny side, the police even posing for photos and the party continuing for another few hours. You won't live that one down Helen a birthday to remember. The Evidence!

Keep staying safe everyone
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 17 April 2020

Hello Ladies

I hope you are all staying fit and well through these unprecedented times!

Today I was given some very sad news that Kay O'Sullivan a very dear friend to you all and a member of Chesfielddowns Ladies for many years passed away today after a long battle with her health. I believe Kay had been at Chesfielddowns from the beginning and had been Ladies Captain, this lovely lady will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Our condolences and thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

Since being in lockdown some of the ladies have not been idle, they have been keeping themselves busy by responding to an appeal from the Lister Hospital. They have been making heart coasters either knitted, crochet or hand made in material, they are for patients who are unwell either on a ward or in intensive care and another matching heart for their relative so that they can feel they are connected during these times when they are not able to visit.

They are also making drawstring bags large enough for nurses to put their uniform in as soon as they take it off to isolate them then they can be put directly into the washing machine in the bag to be washed alone.

If anyone wishes to join in and make hearts or bags they can contact Hazel B for hearts and Katy C for bags, your help will be greatly appreciated even if you just donate to the ladies any material, wool or even wadding for the filling.

We have a couple of whatsApp groups running where we post daily news items, jokes and questions, you are guaranteed to have at least one laugh out loud moment a day.

Julie R has become a quiz master posting a golf rules question daily which we must answer without looking it up, the answer is given later in the day, I think we're all learning things we never knew only hope I can remember it all when we start playing again.

I personally have been using the IG fitness classes, it's great as you get the instructor live on your tablet screen to follow. Lots of golf tips and videos by the pro's on IG to watch and learn.

I was prompted to invest in a chipping net for the garden after watching video clips posted on our whatsApp group by Kathy D competing against her husband it was very entertaining and looked fun.

Alister and I have since had a number of afternoon chipping competitions, nothing has been broken and no balls have been lost so far.

I know many of you are walking on a daily basis, I'm lucky enough to live close to an entrance onto the Letchworth Greenway so walking daily has been a pleasure, we even sometimes take a club and half a dozen balls each to hit on the way round in the deserted playing field.

We are very lucky to have such technology that we can still see and chat to family and friends on Skype, FaceTime and Zoom.

Some of us have had coffee mornings on zoom which is fun and noisy but great to see everyone.

With this lovely weather my garden is getting lots of attention I've set my potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, sweet corn, peppers and lots more. If any of you are unable to get out to buy your compost, plants or seeds Langford nursery & garden centre will deliver to you just give them a call with your order.

I know we are all missing golf and the social side of it and cannot wait to get back to being with our friends and our lovely newly refurbished club, studio and gym and the course which is looking very inviting, pictures posted by a member walking beyond the boundaries of the course.

Stay safe everyone and god bless our NHS.

Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 2 April 2020

Hello Ladies

I hope you are all staying well and are able to get out for some exercise even if it is just in your gardens

IG have been running exercise classes just log on and go to my golf then you will see a tab for classes.

Jo O has been putting Stay at Home coaching videos on you tube on a daily basis they are great fun, take a look on you tube and practice in your garden or putt in your hallway if you dare!

I live near to part of the Letchworth Greenway so we have been able to walk every day and have even taken a golf club and half a dozen balls to hit in an empty playing field.

Unfortunately we have now had to make the decision to postpone the Away Weekend to Staverton Park June 7th 2020. It will now be 6th June 2021 your deposit of £35 will be held by Golf Breaks and Pat W will be returning your balance once she has received your bank details.

The Away Day which is planned for Thursday 30th July 2020 has not been postponed at the moment but it is looking likely if the current situation remains, we will keep you informed.

News items from Lady members
Did you know? Angela H in the O'Sullivan Cup scored a 3 for 5 on the 10th hole

First shot into the bunker on the right
Second shot in front of the ditch
Third shot chipped over the ditch into the hole

Wow! This must have helped her team to win the O'Sullivan Cup, well done.

A message from Lauren P
Dear Ladies,

Thank you so much for your flowers, messages and many cards offering condolences for Ian. You have shown me and my family huge love and support and we are so grateful and uplifted by your kindness. Ian's funeral will take place on 16th April at 2pm. It was always planned to be a private family funeral but the coronavirus has put restrictions on certain aspects of it, such as numbers and age of attendees. Hopefully social isolation will start to win the fight and Ian will get the send off he deserves and we will all be back together soon playing golf and socialising. Fingers crossed and stay safe.

Lauren x

Honours Boards
After many weeks of organising I have finished putting the Honours Boards in order for the wall and collating missing data. With the help of long standing members we managed to complete missing Christian names and some missing dates. The Ladies Honours Boards are now completed.

I did intend to add photo's taken by members over the last few weeks of isolation but have been unable to, maybe by the next newsletter I will have worked that one out!

Jackie R and Hazel B have set up WhatsApp groups if you would like to join one of these groups please contact either of them and they will add you, it's a fun way to keep in touch while we cannot meet up. 

Stay safe

Rogie

Ladies' Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 25 March 2020

Hello Ladies

Well what a week. The sun came out to give us a lovely weekend and some of the last games of golf to be played before the club completely closed on Monday evening.

The sun continues to shine as we all prepare to stay at home for a number of weeks to avoid contact with others, sadly for most of us that meant we didn't see families for Mother's Day.

I hope you are all well and staying safe, I'm appealing to all members to please stay in touch by email or phone with those members who were already maybe self isolating due to underlying conditions or the governments age recommendation so are unable to go out even for food shopping and maybe don't have family to help out. Just to have someone to talk to makes isolation easier.

What a time to join a golf club but two ladies did just that a couple of weeks ago Lynn C and Cheryl S are now full members of the ladies section. Cheryl has been a member of another club a few years ago, Lynn has been playing the Par 3 for a while and is keen to get a handicap we managed to get one card done before the closure of the club.

We can look forward to welcoming them to the Ladies section and club soon.

If any one has any news or photos they would like me to share with the Ladies section please send it to me and I will keep the newsletter going through these tough times.

Enjoy the sunshine the gardens are going to look fantastic this year with all the time we're going to spend in them now.

Stay safe

Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 15 March 2020

Hooray! It's stopped raining and we have been able to play most of the course this week with the exception of holes 6 & 7 which have now opened this weekend.

As you are aware the bar area will be closed as from Monday 16th March for two weeks for the refurbishment. We will be using the conservatory after golf for tea/coffee and lunch.

I had my first Pilates class in the new studio this week it's very impressive and there is so much more room. I have yet to have my gym induction but it's next on my agenda.

Tuesday 3rd March We played pick your poison where you only count your score on your pre chosen eight holes then deduct half your handicap. Jacky S won on 27.5 with Ann K a very close runner up on 28.5

Tuesday 10th March
Today was Champagne Scramble. A team of four. Way out in front were Margaret G, Lynn T, Karen M & Ann L with 79 points.

Well done to all who played in these high winds.

Thursday's Golf

The first medal qualifier of the season was cancelled due to excessive rain overnight and into the next day.

The Price Vase was played over 16 holes as a non qualifying competition in winds of up to forty mph not an easy task.

There was a little confusion as to who the winner was but I can confirm that Ann K has won the Price Vase well played Ann one of our newer members.

The Kay Baker Memorial Bowl - 7th April
This is a nine hole competition to be played in memory of our dear friend Kay. Her family have donated a Memorial Bowl which they would like to present after the game. We will be having tea and cake with the presentation at about 12.30. So sign up for this remembrance game and reminisce about the times you played with Kay.

Jubilee Jug - 9th April
4BBB Pairs competition, Easter themed best dressed pair so get your thinking caps on (or Easter bonnets 😉) if you want to be in with a chance of winning a prize or two. There will also be a raffle, nearest the pin and longest drive. There will be afternoon tea with a prize presentation. We will also have a representative from Crossroads Care Vanessa who will tell us more about the services they provide.

If you would like to do 9 holes and or just join us for afternoon tea there is a sign up sheet in the Ladies locker room.

Happy Golfing 🏌🏻‍♀️
Stay safe and healthy
Rogie Taylor, Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 2 March 2020

After a much needed break in a hot and sunny Lanzarote and missing the two storms, I returned home to RAIN, RAIN and more RAIN. Then a morning of snow which stopped us playing the Megan Bonner Par 3 so not a lot of golf being played since my return.

It is great to see our club renovations developing, with a super new state of the art gym already open and lot more ladies seem to be using it.

This weekend will see the opening of the new and improved studio along with the reception area and pro shop.

Winter Eclectic ResultsAfter six rounds out of seven being played of the Eclectic the presentation and lunch went ahead despite us not being able to play the Megan Bonner Par 3 competition beforehand. 26 ladies attended, eagerly awaiting the final results after weeks of speculation.

Division one winner was Sarah F on 47 a very close runner up Vicky T on 48

Division two winner was Julie R on 53 the battle for runner up was Mary H on countback from Helen L on 56.

Well done ladies some great golf going on for some regardless of the weather.

Tuesday 9 Hole Golf
The last of these competitions have now been played with our first 18 hole competition on Tuesday 3rd March weather permitting.

Over the last few weeks the ladies have played 5 clubs and a putter with Jackie S taking first place and Annette G hot on her heels.

The following week a wish, gift and joker was played with one of our newer members Ann K winning with 21 points well played, with Julie R runner up on 18 points.

Last week 25th February saw a very wet course with holes 6 & 7 closed and carry only, the pairs competition was changed to an individual stableford, well done to all the ladies who would not be beaten by the weather and played to the twelfth hole , very close scoring Ladies Vicky T 17 points and Anne L 16 points. While a few of us did the Par 3 instead.

Weekend Results
Unfortunately the weekends have been hit hardest with course closures over the last few weeks, only one game has been played with only one of our ladies bravely going out and being looked after by the men, well done Caroline K for venturing out onto the course when all the other ladies decided not too, did they stay in bed??

Scorecards via Smartphones Can I remind everyone if you enter your score on your smartphone you will still need to swipe your card in the normal way to have your score accepted.

Team And Event PhotosAny ladies not wishing to have their photo published on our website or newsletter please be aware it is your responsibility to not include yourself in a team or event photo.

With the weather so unpredictable at the moment and course closures we have rescheduled the Megan Bonner Par 3 to Tuesday April 14th

Thanks to Lin who has moved the start sheet to this day which will include anyone who has confirmed that they can still play. Sign up will open in the normal way three weeks before for those ladies who were not signed up but find they can now play.

It's a lovely sunny day as I sit here writing this newsletter so here's hoping the sun stays out so we can play some golf this week.

Roll on Spring

Happy Golfing 🏌🏻‍♀️
Rogie Taylor, Ladies' Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 10 February 2020

Hopefully storm Ciara today (Sunday) will pass with not too much damage and all will be well for next weeks golf for you all.

No I'm not going to tell you what the weather is like where I am that wouldn't be fair 😎

Another two weeks of competitions have been played without any rainfall and some lovely sunny days which has helped the course dry out quite a bit. Some bunkers are being renovated so are GUR. More will be done over time.

Tuesday 28th January
We played a Novelty Stableford a new one on me, you got a free drop out of a bunker, a free kick, take your tee shot again and a free drop out of water. How many did you use? Anne L won with 18 points with Julie P hot on her heels with 17 points.

Tuesday 4th February
One of everyone's favourite formats Stableford alliance played on a lovely sunny February day Debbie F, Julie R, Sarah F and Katy C came in with a very respectable 39 points.

Winter Eclectic
Two more rounds of the Eclectic have now been played, have you bettered your scores are you in with a chance?? Only two more rounds to play. Can you catch the lead in your division? The presentation will be held after the Megan Bonner Par 3 competition on 27th February in the Gallery room upstairs with soup and roll, don't forget to sign up on IG.

Weekend Results
The Mixed Weekend Winter League 11 was a team Texas Scramble with nineteen teams entering, two of our ladies along with their husbands kathy & John D with Pat & Les W did very well and came in sixth with scores at the top very close.

Round 12 was a Pairs Betterball with fourty four pairs competing, the scores were high including the scores of two of our ladies Linda B & Pat W gaining eighth place with 41 points. Well done Ladies.

Dr Katrina Douglas
There are still some places to attend the 'Be inspired for better golf in 2020' hosted by Dr Katrina Douglas at Chesfield Downs on 16th February. For more information see the poster in the Ladies locker room or speak to Sarah F.

Section Fees
If you have not already done so please can you pay you Ladies Section fee of £10 either by:
Cash in an envelope with your name on into the black box in the Ladies locker room OR by bank transfer into the Ladies bank account sort code 40-28-14 account no: 81769642.

EGM
Just a reminder that I will be holding an EGM on Thursday 20th February upstairs in the gallery room after the last round of the Eclectic, with regards to the changes to the Ladies Constitution. I would appreciate that as many of you as possible could stay for a short time for this please.

Ladies Golf Trip to Portugal
A message from the organiser - " Thank you for your fantastic response to the Portugal trip. We now have 21 confirmed Ladies, we would like to have 24 to make things easier for 4 balls, so if anyone would like to come please contact ASAP Diane C "

Rules Roadshow
Chesfield Downs is hosting a Rules Roadshow on April 8th this is limited to 40 people. There is no charge to attend. If you wish to attend then please email secretary@hertfordshiregolf.org ASAP to book your place. For more information there is a poster on the notice board in the Ladies locker room.

Happy Golfing🏌🏻‍♀️
Rogie
Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 26 January 2020

Well it's finally stopped raining whoopee!

We're now managing to get out on the course with all holes playable, it's still a little soggy which makes for challenging golf for some but clearly not for others as these competition results show.

Tuesday 14th January in Double the Odds competition Sarah F came in with a very impressive 31 points and not too far behind Julie R took second place on countback from Kathy D with 24 points.

The weekend saw the Turkey Trot finally being played on a very wet course that had been closed for a number of days, 77 players went out so a great result for Jackie S who gained second place with 31 points well done Jacky, doing it for the Ladies.

Tuesday 21st January a game to play with a friend Pairs Multiplyer as both need to score on the same hole in order to gain points, not like my partner and I we scored on alternate holes great if your playing Betterball! Diane C and Jackie S won with a very decent 26 points with Margaret G and Julie P taking second place with 19 points.

Thursday saw 42 Ladies go out in the 3rd round of the Winter Eclectic, did you better your score? Still 4 rounds to go.

Macbeth is showing at the Queen Mother theatre on 26th February 7.30 pm if you would like to join a group of Ladies who are going the tickets are £8 please contact Jackie R for a ticket.

Away Weekend at Staverton Park A place has become available due to one of the Ladies having to pull out which has left Olive without a room mate if there is anyone who would like to join us on our fun filled weekend please speak to Olive or contact one of the organisers Nikki B or Nicola A.

Ladies Golf Trip to Portugal

You may know that some of our lady members are reaching a landmark birthday this year. Diane C, Helen L, Lin G are 70 and Nicola A is 60 at various times throughout the year, Hazel B is nearly 70 (January 2021).

To celebrate these momentous occasions they are arranging a golf break to Portugal. Details as follows:

Friday 16th October returning on Tuesday 20th October 4 nights at the 5* Hotel Pestana Blue, Algarve, all inclusive of meals and drinks.
3 rounds of golf on Saturday, Sunday and Monday- courses are Gramacho, Silves and Vale da Pinta.
Transfers and shuttle

Price £449 (based on two sharing a classic twin room) single occupancy is an extra £35pp per night. Based on 20 people.

Flights are not included but transfers will be for the following flights:
Easyjet Luton to Faro Friday 16th 12.10 arriving at 15.05
Easyjet Faro to Luton Tuesday 20th 16.00 arriving at 18.45
Golf bags £74 return max 20kg

Please arrange your own flights. Flights are available for booking now.
If you are interested please contact Diane C.

All information is on the notice board in the Ladies locker room.

Happy Golfing
Rogie Ladies Captain

Read More

Captain's Newsletter - 12 January 2020

Happy New Year.

Welcome to my first Newsletter.

Well here we are in 2020 a new decade. With renovations well underway our club is set to become an even better club to belong to and I'm honoured to be Ladies Captain in such an important year at Chesfield. There obviously will be some disruption but it is temporary and will be worth it in the end as most of you will have seen from the plans displayed in the bar area.

All of our competitions including Tuesday's are now on IG for you to sign up to in the comfort of your own home. As a lot of you experienced on Thursday you will need your silver club company card or PIN number to sign into Thursday and weekend competitions.

This week saw our first competitions on a very wet and muddy course, nevertheless it didn't stop a good number of ladies going out this week.

Tuesday was an individual Stableford over 9 holes, the weather was kind to us with plenty of sunshine and blue sky. Julie R won with 17 points on countback with myself as runner up, let's keep that up.

Thursday saw the start of the Winter Eclectic on tough course conditions after more rain over night. That didn't seem to stop some good first round gross scores with Pat W with 58 in division 1 and Mary H with 64 in division 2 so the bar is set Ladies we have our work cut out to better our scores over the next six weeks weather permitting.

On Saturday 5 Ladies played in the mixed Winter League individual bogey against the course, the men took the lead in this competition with Nikki B holding the best score for the Ladies.

Well done to all who ventured out to play this week, it felt good to get back to normality.

Ladies for your information there will be a Ladies committee meeting on Thursday 23rd January, also I would like to hold an EGM on Thursday 20th February after the last round of the Eclectic with regards the changes to the Ladies Constitution, I would appreciate that as many of you as possible could stay for this please.

Finally I would just like to say thank you all for your kind support over this recent difficult time for me.

Happy Golfing 🏌🏻‍♀️
Rogie Taylor
Ladies Captain 2020

Read More