Ladies’ Golf Blog
Let me begin this week’s Recorder piece with a huge vote of gratitude to everyone who supported my Charity Bridge Afternoon. First, Louis Laville, who kept the entries organised, and then was extraordinary in his effort in selling the raffle tickets all day long. Next, Ricky Pharo and Nicole Stewart, each of whom offered an hour-long golf lesson, the Club who gave three Weekday Guest Passes and a bottle of Roehampton Club Gin, and the Olympic Cinema who donated a voucher for tickets and food. And finally, to the ever-lovely Members and their guests, who were so incredibly generous. The final sum raised was approximately £1,600, which will be put to such good use, helping the young people involved with Regenerate.
The Bridge itself was a jolly affair, with a full room of 16 tables. So many people, including myself, commented on how wonderful it was to be back in the Bridge Room, playing live cards with our friends. We were treated to a wonderful afternoon tea, as the Catering Team outdid themselves with sandwiches, scones and an absolutely ridiculous number of gorgeous cakes.
Volunteer at the Gold Cup – Saturday 9th April
Volunteers are needed to walk with the players in the Gold Cup on 9th April. Anyone interested can sign up on the sheet on the notice board in the Ladies’ Changing Room. Please indicate if you would like to participate in the morning round, the afternoon round, both or if you are flexible. I cannot encourage you all enough to get involved. It really is a unique experience and most enjoyable. All Members are welcome to participate, regardless of golfing ability. Please email me if you are unsure and would like to know more about what the day entails.
Ireland takes on the Rest of the World in a mixed fourball better ball match on Saturday 12th March. If you wish to play, please sign up via the golf notice board in Club Reception. Golf will be teeing off between 11:00-12:00 with golfers then retiring to the Bar to enjoy watching the England v Ireland Six Nations rugby match.
Captain and Pro v Challengers
The first of the series of Beat the Captain and Pro matches will begin in March. Please keep an eye out on the notice board for sign up details. Each participant will be asked to donate £30 to my charity, Regenerate, in return for the chance to beat me and one of the pros in a fourball better ball 18-hole match. It is a great format, and fun for all involved. Please do consider participating, regardless of your level of golf.
Summer Knockouts
Sign up for the Summer Knockouts are now open on Intelligent Golf. The closing date is 6th March.
Club Championship – 25th and 26th June
Please mark your diaries for the Club Championships on 25th and 26th June. This is a scratch medal played over 36 holes, and there will be a maximum handicap set. The top players from Saturday, will go on to play a second round on the Sunday to determine our Club Champion. The exact details and eligibility requirements will follow as the date approaches.
Golfing news …
A huge congratulations to the Derry Cup team of Jo Thesiger, Lorna Robey, Hannah Li and Captain Jane Peel for successfully negotiating their knock-out matches against Woking. The games were tied between the two clubs, but Roehampton Club prevailed based on the number of holes won. The team now prepares for the semi-finals against Betchworth Park Golf Club.
Alan Scott Trophy – Saturday 19th February
Last Saturday, the Club had its first trophy competition of the year. 58 Members competed, including 12 Ladies. There was a great atmosphere in the piazza before the shotgun and Men’s Captain, Paul Taylor, sounded the claxon to begin the competition.
A huge congratulations to Craig De Silva, who scored 40 Stableford points in tough conditions to win the trophy!
The next mixed weekend competition is a Club Roll Up on 5th March, with sign up opening at 07:00 this Saturday (26th March)
Charity Golf Foursomes – 15th February
All of those who completed 18 holes in the Foursomes competition on 15th February are to be congratulated. The day started out fine, but the wind and rain soon closed in. However, as always seems to be the case, there were several pairs who seemed to thrive in the adverse conditions. The winners on the day were:
1. Kathleen Bacon and Nicola Pearson (36 points)
2. Catherine Cooper and Naomi Laundy (33 points)
3. Emma Angood and Priscilla Harries (32 points c/b)
One club length or two …
There is often confusion when taking a drop, as to how many club lengths the player is allowed, and where she should measure from. Below please find a brief outline of the procedures but do check the rule book for more details. Please also remember that you must never drop a ball closer to the hole.
One (1) Club length:
• The player does not have to find her ball, as long as her partner(s) agree that it entered an area marked off as Ground Under Repair. She should measure from the nearest point from where the ball is lying to the edge of the marked off area, or if the ball is not found, from the point it is agreed it entered the area. From this spot, she should next identify the spot, not closer to the hole, where she can stand and swing without making contact with the GUR. It is from that spot that she measures one club length, and drops her ball from knee height.
• Immoveable Obstruction. A player is also allowed relief from an immovable obstruction, such as a sprinkler head. She should measure one club length from the spot, not closer to the hole, where she can stand and swing without being impacted by the obstruction.
• Staked tree. This rule is in place to protect the tree, so the player should identify the spot to mark from by gently swinging her club until she is far enough away that she will not impact the tree in any way. It is from this spot that she then measures one club length. She does not measure one club length from the tree, as this might not be enough to get her clear of the tree.
• Embedded ball. If a ball is embedded in its own pitchmark, the player may lift the ball and clean it, and the must drop it one club length, not closer to the hole, from a spot directly behind where the ball was plugged.
Two (2) Club lengths:
• Ball Unplayable. It is the players own decision to declare her ball unplayable. She does not have to consult her partner(s). She has three options: to go back to the spot she originally hit from, to go back on the line drawn from her ball to the flag, or to drop two club lengths. If she chooses this third option, it is two club lengths from where the ball lies, not from the nearest point of relief. Please contrast that to GUR, where she is allowed to remove her ball from the GUR, no matter how deeply it has entered, and measures from the spot outside of the GUR, where she can stand and swing. If the ball to be declared unplayable is deep underneath a bush (as an example to the left of the 8th tee), she does not measure from the edge of the bush, but instead from where the ball is located.