DCG – SENIOR LADIES – MATCH REPORT

Match:            Yorkshire v Derbyshire

Venue:            Away – Oakdale Golf Club, Harrogate

Date:               Wednesday 26 July 2023

Results Sheet / Team Photo attached.

What a tough day at the office.  Just look at those handicaps for Yorkshire – we were up against it but up for the challenge, it was a handicap match. 

I arrived in Harrogate with Mary the night before, having travelled from the Brenda King at Royal St David’s in Wales.  What a trip, we unintentionally went the scenic route – but wow, what amazing scenery, not a car in sight but 100’s of sheep.  We called at the Club on the way to the Hotel, collected some scorecards and sat in the bar to do the team list and cards – obviously with a diet coke in hand.  With a few others also having travelled up the night before, a bridge closure at Wetherby and a lane closure on the motorway, the first challenge was over, the team had all arrived. 

The Banner was up on the 1^st Tee, team photo done – I gave my phone to a kind man to take the photo and when I looked he’d taken about 25  – I managed to find a good one !!   Patsy Rochester, Yorkshire’s Vice Captain, and myself announced the teams, gave the cards out and we were on our way.  By the way, we were playing against Yorkshire’s 2^nd Team, the handicaps in their 1^st team are obviously lower – they’ve certainly got a vast amount of courses and pool of players. 

Pat Wrightson, Yorkshire’s 1^st Team Captain, was starter for the day.  Captain Gascoigne was on hand to oversee the proceedings.

 The scores were tight in most cases all the way to the 9^th.  The 9^th being a par 3 over a narrow walled brook near the green – a challenge to both teams, a gorgeous looking hole.  

As you can imagine every game was a battle against a strong Yorkshire Team. Leading the Team out was Mel Davey and Sue Powell, they kept pulling the game back but Karen and Elaine just took control towards the end winning 4&2.  Mary Annable and Raili Turk were always up in their game but it appeared every time my head popped up behind a tree they hit bad shots, I kept away and they won 1up – well done you two, the only win of the day.  

The next two teams both lost, Sharon Plant/Alyson Connell and Cynthia Machent/Tracey Kirkham – but it’s not surprising when you look at the handicaps they were up against, a couple of them also knowing the course quite well.  But not taking it away from the Yorkshire Ladies who had played extremely well. 

Rosemary Whitehouse/Shelagh Lancaster & Anne Colwell/Sandra Maxwell both halved their matches – a battle for both teams throughout – excellent job, well done.  Rosemary and Shelagh were all square on the 17^th – similar to the 9^th safe shots were required over the brook which both teams achieved and with close putts given their game was halved.   You’ll see a picture of the 18^th green and one pair looking for a ball – is it Sandra and Anne or the Yorkshire pair, I’ll leave that to you to ask when you see them - made me smile so a photo was required – another game halved, great result.  

That leaves Jane Whyatt and Gillian Lockwood bringing in the last game – look at those Yorkshire Handicaps again, we lost that game 4&2 but again well battled on the fairways against a strong Yorkshire pair. 

With everyone back in the Clubhouse for a well deserved meal of homemade fishcake and hazelnut brownies – I had the pleasure of thanking Yorkshire for their excellent hospitality, both teams for their camaraderie throughout and to acknowledge what an amazing course Oakdale have – definitely worth a visit if anyone is in the area.  

I wished everyone a safe journey home and we were on our way.  On the M1 I realised that the banner was still in Harrogate – I’m pleased to say that by Monday it will be in Sheffield and back with me next week – don’t tell Richard !  

My personal thanks to you the Derbyshire Team for travelling to Harrogate, playing and supporting this match – thank you. 

Next Match is a scratch match away at Stoke Rochford against Lincolnshire on Monday 31 July. 

Team Results sheet and photo attached.

Judy

Judy Gascoigne

DCG – Senior Ladies Captain 22/23

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