Hello Ladies,

The main news this time regards our monthly competitions: it has been decided to run our competitions from Fridays to Mondays inclusive from January next year. The reason for this is to enable Jack and Tom to have three days in the week when they can carry out any disruptive work on the course without moving us on and off temporary greens during the course of a competition, making it fairer for all. It will also bring us more into line with all other clubs where there is only one day for the competitions; we have, after all, had it pretty cushy up until now. Most of the ladies who do their competitions in the week do them on a Monday, so that should not be an inconvenience for them. I realise that some ladies will be unhappy with this decision, but it is for the good of the course, and Jack and Tom have been hampered in their attempts to maintain and improve the course with so many competitions taking up so much time. I think we all agree that they are doing a very good job and it is encouraging for us to see the improvements thus far. (The greens are already showing the benefit of the tineing, seeding and sanding carried out recently.) This new arrangement will take some getting used to and I hope it will not deter too many ladies from entering the monthly competitions. I asked Jack if we ladies will be sharing the new summer tees with the men when they open in the spring, and he said they would have to think about that. The boys have also purchased a ball washer and a ball dispenser for the driving range and are in the process of building the accommodation for it as I type. This shall make life easier for us all, but especially for them. Also, it is good to have the compressor back again.


We have had some good away days and we agreed that Tidworth is definitely worth another visit and Rushmore as well, although it is more of a journey. The next one will be Minchinhampton Aveneing course which I understand is a good course and we shall keep our fingers crossed for good weather. As I said in my previous newsletter, that will be the last one I shall arrange for this year as December is rather busy, but we may go somewhere on the spur of the moment. The Kendleshire is a lovely course and well worth a visit. Three of us also visited Sherborne Golf Club and that is also another very nice course, although we did not play all of it as it was raining and we finished after 11 holes. Apparently, the rest of the course is the best part. We have asked them to send us entry forms for their open competitions next year. (Beware of elderly ladies in red Range Rovers – I had the rear of my car bashed in as I was turning into the lane leading to the Club and a good job she made of it too!) They have a coffee morning and nearly new clothes sale this time every year and it is well worth a visit; we picked up several bargains and wished we had more money to spend.)

Our booking for the Christmas meal has been secured but I still need some more deposits which can be paid at a later date. (The request for deposits took me by surprise as we did not have to do that before, but they clearly had a bad experience last year.) We have been sent a form to fill out for our meal choices which is on the notice board in the ladies cloakroom and I would like to have completed by 14th November please.


Several people have generously donated gifts for the raffles and I will be able to spread them out, but I am still short of butch and manly ones for the men in the club. I have put aside some of the money to buy some, but more would be helpful. I hope it does not seem like nagging, but it has been a struggle finding suitable prizes. Thank you in advance. The last week of October shall be breast cancer week, when all members are invited to wear something pink or a pink sticker and make donations in the box provided.

I think that is all for now,

Best wishes,

Linda.