DCG – SENIOR LADIES – MATCH REPORT

Match:            Staffordshire v Derbyshire

Venue:            Aston Wood Golf Club – Sutton Coldfield

Date:               Monday 10 October 2022

+ Results Sheet / Team Photo / 2023 Fixtures

So, last match of the season, re-arranged from May, due to a diary clash at Aston Wood – we were there and ready to go, well nearly all there, Jane Whyatt was still on her way but knowing the area well Rosemary kindly turned herself into a SatNav and guided her in – well done both. 

What a beautiful first hole – not without its challenges, water left and bunkers on the right – thank goodness I wasn’t playing ! both hazards took casualties from both teams but the game was on and all teams were on their way. 

One team change to our 1^st pairing because Deb Eaglefield wasn’t feeling 100% (from all of us - get well soon Deb) so Janet Thomas having travelled from Harrogate the day before stepped in to play with Mel – well done JT.  And what a battle against a tough Bridget Locke, Staffs 2^nd Team County Captain, we all knew from the start that it was going to be a competitive match which proved to be the case.  Mel & Janet 1up going up the 18^th – Bridget went in the ditch that crossed the fairway, then Mel went in the water to the left near the green, both having a drop and the other two out of the hole, a fabulous chip by Mel and a good putt from Bridget meant they’d halved the hole and Mel & Janet had won 1up – great game you two.  What a closing hole ! 

Then we had Pauline Bramley & Kay Kearton, both were on fire, Staffs didn’t have much of a chance – a number of birdies and good putting meant they’d won 6&4.  Desley & Dawn unfortunately came across a pair (a right pair!) in very good form – well done – a game like that is nice to play, but hard to play against. 

Match 3 at 10.57 was Mary Annable and Alyson Connell – that match was almost off scratch with only Susan Sims of Staffs receiving 1 shot.  Staffs had the edge in that match and won 3&2 – more chocolate required Mary – a well fought battle on the fairways. 

Match 4 at 11.06 was Teresa Burgoyne and Jane Whyatt – and what a match that was.  Once Teresa had motivated Jane by saying something like ‘get the putt up to the hole and they’ll need to give you the hole’ there was no turning back – amazing what a few words can do,and knowing Teresa it would have been as polite as that, good teamwork meant another win of 2&1  – another match thoroughly enjoyed by all 4 players. 

Sue Powell and myself were now getting on edge as the score was 3-1 to Derbyshire but we’d heard at the 9^th that three teams were down – well this is how it went. 

Onto Lesley Watson & Gill Lockwood – with a winning score of 8&6 both players had had a great game but out of the two, I was told Gill had played a blinder – with Lesley playing off scratch, Gill 3 shots and Staffs 4 & 8 shots – Cynthia and Claire the Staffs players were hit hard by two players in great form – excellent teamwork in operation.   So we were 4-1 up – looking promising, we couldn’t lose but we wanted a win, great position to be in. 

Christine Cole and Sue Drake struggled against an on form Paulette Rodney and Chris Pettit – Paulette playing off scratch and everyone else having 2 shots.  Staffs had the edge and won 5&4 – well done to them, bad luck you two, a good battle though, when it’s their day it’s their day.  Next time. 

Tracey Kirkham and Carol Gladwin also had a tough match and lost 6&4 against the experienced Jenny Smale and Lisa Doyle – again, Staffs were on form and took control – well battled you two – I know from chatting, you both enjoyed it – Tracey’s first year playing for Derbyshire Seniors – a tricky course, as most players said when walking in. 

Then onto the last match, Rosemary Whitehouse and Sandra Maxwell, the match was 4-3 up to Derbyshire – to win overall we needed that match.  Sandra whispered in the clubhouse ‘I’m playing with Rosemary I’m going to be serious and behave’, I think that ended on the 3^rd !!!   She’s always good fun and I think we’ve got a winning combination – they won 1up – Rosemary putted across the green rolling it circa 8 feet beyond the hole, a tricky putt back and it went in the hole – wow.  They’d won their game against the Staffs Captain, Mandy Ambert and Kim Lumley and with that Derbyshire had won the Match 5-3.  It had been a great battle of the fairways yet again, to win the match was down to the last putt. 

To end the day – Sue Drake walked out to the 12^th where she’d last used her spectacles as she couldn’t find them on arriving back at the Clubhouse  – but no joy – but when Rosemary and team walked onto the 18^th green a wave of has anyone lost any glasses ended the day well – with Sue being reunited with her new pair, having stepped on her other pair and bent them the night before – don’t tell me anything or it’ll get reported !!  Made me smile Sue, glad you found them. 

What a day, Sue Powell – our Captain for 2024/25 and myself were relieved – it’s a worry watching, I think we’ll go shopping instead of watching next time !  My thanks to Mandy Ambert and her players for the team camaraderie, a great day, great organisation and great choice of course, we all thoroughly enjoyed it. 

To finish my thanks to all the Seniors who have played or not played this Season, your support has been much appreciated.  I’m pleased to report that we’ve won every match during 2022.  Having liaised with Richard our secretary, all fixtures for 2023 have been organised and are attached for information.  Availability forms will be circulated during November 

Take care all.

 Judy Gascoigne

DCG – Senior Ladies Captain 22/23

07854 732590

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