DCG – SENIOR LADIES – MATCH REPORT

Match: Derbyshire v Shropshire
Venue: Matlock Golf Club
Date: Wednesday 14 June 2023

+ Results Sheet / Team Photo

Sue and myself arrived at Matlock at about 0930 to prepare the battleground for our match against Shropshire – looking out onto the 1st tee the scenery was stunning, we were in for a sunny day with a slight breeze, which was very welcome.

Di Edwards, the Shropshire Captain arrived, carrying a Flag, a Challenge for Tom F in the Pro Shop – but he rose to the challenge. He used a knot not familiar to me or the Scouting Handbook but it was soon flying together with the Matlock Flag, and remained on the flagpole all day – result – well done Tom !

Bacon cobs and coffee were served as the players arrived. Di & myself sorted the match sheet and cards and the team were limbering up with another coffee before filing out onto the tee. Some of the Shropshire players had got caught up in traffic due to an accident on the M54, thankfully none of the players were involved and one by one they all arrived safely in time for the match.

A slight change in order of play so Carol Simpson and Alison Smith were off first (due to Alison having to go back to work) this was Alison’s first Seniors Match, welcome to the Seniors, and I’m pleased to report they won 2&1 well done you two, against Louisa Goff & Linda Mottram.

The Matlock duo of Cynthia Machent, Immediate Past President of Derbyshire and the experienced Jane Whyatt were off next – again with a win of 4&3 against Anne Belshaw & Sandra Fullerton – again well done you two – so we were 2-0 up, excellent start, but early days.

The next three matches we lost 1 down – wow so close in all those matches, what a battle they’d all had – that was Mel Prime & Janet Thomas v Julia Line and Norma Hughes, Tracey Kirkham & Alyson Connell v Trish McGloin & Mair Robinson, Jan Bilbie & Gill Lockwood v Viv Davies & Anne Marie Scott – so we were now 3-2 down – it can change so quickly. With three matches still to go Sue & myself went in search of them around the course, we were doing OK, but only OK.

We’d then heard that Lesley Watson and Mel Davey had won 6&5 – wow – so 3-3. It was Mel’s first Seniors match also, great to have her in the team. The day after she was off to Holme Hall to be with the County Team – Mel at the weekend was also announced as the County Vice Captain for 2024 and ultimately County Captain for 2025 – we all wish her the very best on her journey of many matches during the next few years, great squad to work with.

Having given out cool water to players throughout the day – a much needed task – we were shouted to the 6th tee where Sandra Walters had mislaid her putter – having putted on the 6th green with her rescue wood – I won’t say if the putt went in or not ! Her battery had also gone in her rangefinder. Rosemary had her hands full !! Gascoigne & Powell went in pursuit of the Scottie Cameron putter which we found and returned to its delighted owner. That find was evened up when we picked up a Shropshire wedge on another fairway – I think the heat was getting to them.

Shelagh Lancaster & Sandra Maxwell had battled all the way around against a fighting Ali Grove and Lucy Taylor – we joined them on the 9th when they were down in the match – what a battle that was they came back and won 3&1 – well done.

Rosemary Whitehouse & Sandra W - playing against Angela Van der Stap (with one ‘P’) and Di Edwards, the Captain, eventually won 1up – it was a very tight and challenging round – as Rosemary said, golf is a test of patience.

So Derbyshire had won the Match 5-3 – well done Derbyshire Ladies. Sue & myself were shattered and we hadn’t even played – nervous, stressful tension!

A rewarding and memorable task during your captaincy is to give out County Colours, I had the great pleasure to hand over Senior Colours to Sandra Maxwell, well done Sandra, you’ve been great for the Team and will do a great job going forward, thanks for your support. In fact thank you to all players, you’re doing a fabulous job, Sue & I really appreciate it.

My thanks to Sue Powell for all her assistance on the day – a great companion. She’s definitely keen and up for the challenge in 2024/25.

Thanks also to Matlock Golf Club for allowing me to host these matches and to the catering and Greenkeeping staff – a great club and course.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this report. The next match is against Yorkshire at Oakdale Golf Club, near Harrogate on Wednesday 26 July.

Take care all.

Judy

Judy Gascoigne
DCG – Senior Ladies Captain 22/23
07854 732590

(DCG – Match Report Derbys v Shrops 14 6 23 – Updated 17 6 23 – 21:55)

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