DCG – SENIOR LADIES – MATCH REPORT 

Match:            Lincolnshire v Derbyshire

Venue:            Stoke Rochford Golf Club

Date:               Monday 31 July 2023 

Attached:  Results Sheet 

My car share buddy Shelagh and myself arrived in plenty of time, as indeed did the rest of the team which was a relief as we had no travelling reserves, which is usually me, today I was playing – a surprise to me and the team ! 

Lincolnshire approached me at the Brenda King at Mere GC in 2021 to ask if we’d consider a fixture.  Always up for a match and challenge we agreed, arrangements made, and here we are our first match.  It was a scratch match, far more easier to do the cards than a handicap match, but a tougher game to play.  Jackie Friend the Lincs Captain and myself exchanged team sheets, handed out the cards and wished both teams an enjoyable day.  With me playing I was off to the practice nets, etc, which I’m pleased to say most of our team were there also, what an enthusiastic team we have.  And then the rain came ……umbrellas were up and waterproofs on. 

It was a lovely course, a little noisy off the 1^st tee as the Clubhouse was situated directly off the A1, but once you’d played the first couple of holes you were in scenic woodland and on lush fairways away from the noise.  Mel Davey and Libby Harrison led the team out against Jo Robinson and Yvonne Cork, we won that game 5&3.  Our 2^nd pairing was Sian Mansey & Carol Simpson against Susan Bothwick & Diane Rafferty, again we won 4&2.  Excellent work you 4 -  but as we know anything could happen as we’d still got 6 matches out there. 

The rain eased off and we were able to enjoy the rest of the day with umbrellas down and dry gloves, hooray!    

Our 3^rd pairing was Raili Turk and Sharon Plant, playing against Andrea Smaggasgale & Dee Ginnity, although 3up at one stage, Lincs fought back to all square, and Lincs won 1up on the 18^th, a great battle you two.  Then we had Shelagh Lancaster & Gill Lockwood against Sally Bowker & Nancy Tatham, another battle of the fairways and with two close gimmie putts on the 18^th their game was halved.  I’d heard they’d thoroughly enjoyed the company of Sally and Nancy so a half was very sociable.  

Alyson Connell & Debbie Mathews lost their game against Lynn Exley and Heather Tuck, but only 1down – it was Debbie’s first Scratch Match for the Seniors and she’d thoroughly enjoyed it.  Again a great battle to get to the 18^th, well done. 

You’ve heard of the British Comedy duo, Mel & Sue, well we had our very own pairing of Mel & Sue playing for Derbyshire - Mel Prime & Sue Powell – Sue, as many already know, being the Seniors Captain for 2024/25, who won their match 2&1 playing against Anne Lambert and Judith Flevell.  Excellent result, they even took time to take a photo – which was actually the only photo of the day, somehow we didn’t get around to taking a team photo, but what a lovely photo it is.  It’s actually got Stoke Rochford Hall in the background which doesn’t actually show up very well  - worth a look on the internet the building is stunning but I’m informed the interior is quite tired if anyone is thinking of going.! 

Judy Gascoigne and Sue Drake won their match 4&3 playing against Polly Brettle & Judith Gorman – we were +1 at the turn and managed to take hold of it on the back few holes, as always I enjoyed your company Sue, well played – another win on the Team Sheet. 

The strong 8^th pairing of Lesley Watson & Sandra Maxwell walked in with a 6&4 win against Julie Harvey and Margaret Jacobs, excellent work you two, with all matches played out Derbyshire had secured a win, phew! 

With wonderful camaraderie throughout, our very first match with Lincolnshire was over, we sat down to Ham, egg & chips and it was my pleasure to announce the result, a win for Derbyshire 5½ to 2½.  Well done all.  Sue P met up with the Lincs Captain for next year, Sheila Dugmore, and the date and venue is almost sorted for 2024 – another job ticked off, well done Sue. 

Our thanks to you all for making yourselves available and travelling to Stoke Rochford – always much appreciated.  We do get to meet some lovely people, experience some competitive golf in a 4BBB matchplay format and play some amazing courses. 

Next match Monday 14 August against Leicestershire & Rutland at Lingdale.

Best regards

 Judy

 Judy Gascoigne

DCG - Seniors Captain 2022/23

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