DCG – SENIOR LADIES – MATCH REPORT 

Match:            Derbyshire v Warwickshire

Venue:            Burton on Trent Golf Club

Date:              Thursday 25 August 2022

My car share buddy Shelagh and myself arrived in plenty of time.  We had time to chat to Joe in the Pro Shop who had been very helpful throughout the day and kindly offered to display the DCG Banner which he said he’d battled with in the past and was intending to win this time - you’ve heard of the programme “It Takes Two” – well it took two, with the kind assistance of Deb Eaglefield.  Then along came Warwickshire with their Sail Flag – you’ve heard of “The Krypton Factor” – with 4 of us we managed to sort and with a big hammer that Joe provided the stake was nailed into the ground and the flag flying – the golf was going to be easy after that  !! 

After bacon cobs, coffee & tea the Captain of Warwickshire, Anne Wardle, and myself announced the teams, handed the cards out and we all assembled on the 1^st tee for a team photo, well nearly all of us as two Derbyshire players were still on their way, although they missed the photo, they were in plenty of time for their tee time.  I’m pleased to say the rain stopped just for those few minutes.   

The starter for the day was Captain Gascoigne.  She was very happy to announce the first pairing leading the team out, in what proved to be a very tough day, as being County stalwart Rosemary Whitehouse and Mary Annable against Christina Kennedy and Pat Hale, followed by Debbie Eaglefield our County Vice Captain and Libby Harrison against Janet Lees and Sue Timberlake.   By this time a heavy drizzle had set in and umbrellas were up – a big shame after all the nice weather, but the team were geared up and prepared for the elements.  

Christine Cole, having travelled back from Prestatyn that morning & Shelagh Lancaster were next out. The rain had set in and a selfie that Christine took proved that even with rain they were enjoying the match.  Lovely hats.  Christine Cole’s comment on the 1^st tee being excuse my bum, as she’s a left hander and obviously stands the opposite way, always looks awkward to me but works amazingly well – I might change myself ! 

The next pairing of Lesley Watson – renamed Bubba on the Tee – and Mel Prime our County Captain were warming up and exercising on the tee (that could be a lie – I’ll let you decide) – they were up against Liz Moverley and Barbara Woolley – Liz I’d met at the Brenda King Foursomes and knew they’d got a difficult match ahead.  Listen later to hear how that went. 

Tracey Kirkham, a Burton member and her first year with the Seniors, and Jane Whyatt from Matlock were off next, as Jane said, if you can play at Matlock then Burton is similar – dodgy slopes, bounces and footings.  They were against Marjorie Scott and Gill Thorpe – all the matches were proving to be very tight.  The rain was not easing, according to Carol Kirkwood on the BBC Weather that morning the rain was going to miss us – think I’ll have to switch over to Des Coleman on ITV.

The pairing of Sandra Maxwell and Alyson Connell were up against the Warwickshire Captain Anne Wardle and Marie Swindells (pronounced Marrrrie) – whilst waiting for the bell to ring on the 1^st Alyson and Marie were chatting about familiar places in Ireland such as Limerick, etc – Sandra and I know a lot more about Ireland than we did before, all interesting knowledge.   

 The 7^th pairing was Gill Lockwood – President of Ashbourne Golf Club (I say that because I’m sure that’ll make her smile) and Janet Thomas Past County Captain.  Against them we were very pleased to announce the President of the Warwickshire Vets, Val Barker, playing with Carol Coxon.  On the tee that team were all given their titles – not sure how we started with that, but we had a laugh when doing it – all good sports.

Our last and final pairing was Carol Simpson and Pauline Bramley playing against Judith Pegler, next year’s Warwickshire Vets Captain and Karen McKenna – always difficult when you’re last out having to wait for so long and trying to keep warm with the rain becoming more intense – but they were keen and headed up the 1^st  – wishing them good luck, I then headed into the Clubhouse for a warm coffee before heading off onto the course to rally the teams. 

They were all fighting hard – with hardly any shots dropped Rosemary and Mary finished on the 17^th with a 2&1 Win – all 4 players having enjoyed the course and played some great golf, so close and good golf is exciting times.  Deb Eaglefield and Libby Harrison were all square after the 17^th, halved the 18^th and so halved the match – what a match against the tough as ever Sue Timberlake – well done you two.

Christine Cole and Shelagh Lancaster were all square after the 16^th – they won the 17^th and Christine birdied the 18^th for them to win 2up.   A great finish.  We were now up in the match 2½ to a ½ but a long way to go. 

Mel Prime and Lesley ‘Bubba’ Watson came in with a 4&3 Win as I’m sure when I caught up with them earlier in the match they were 2down – wow, good play.  Tracey and Jane, 1 down after the 17^th, needed to win the 18^th – Jane was on the green for two, the ball looked to be about 5 feet away from the hole and she managed to 1 putt, as Warwickshire missed theirs  – so an excellent half to Derbyshire – again well done – I was more nervous than Jane on that putt. 

Sandra & Alyson battled against Anne and Marrrrie eventually losing to them 5&4 – Sandra was disappointed with her game but like I said we can’t play well every time we step out as much as we’d like to, it’s a team game and it’s inevitable we’ll all have wins and losses – I don’t think my words worked but they are very true, nobody likes to lose, and I’m certainly one of those as is everyone else. Well done for battling on you two. 

Gill Lockwood and Janet Thomas were 1up coming up the 17^th, Gill’s ball landed behind a tree and she was deciding if the ball was in danger of moving as it was very close to a tree branch, carefully dealt with the ball didn’t move, so that was good, although the next shot, hit the tree and ricocheted across the fairway – these things happen!  Janet Thomas was positioned well for a fabulous shot onto the green, she won the hole and they’d won the game 2&1.  Great determination by the Derbyshire pairing.

 Our last pairing of Pauline Bramley and Carol Simpson by the 9^th could have gone either way against Judith Pegler and Karen McKenna, Warwickshire eventually gaining control of that match and winning 2&1.

 Funnily enough the rain stopped and the sun tried to shine for the last few holes so that was nice to finish on.    As you can imagine every game was a battle against a strong Warwickshire Team.

 Our thanks to Burton on Trent GC for the kind hospitality which was much needed and appreciated.

 So the overall result was a win for Derbyshire 5&3.  Excellent result – thank you to all of you throughout the season for your commitment and enthusiasm.   I’m exhausted reading this report – it was a tough day, well done. 

Next Match – Monday 10 October 2022 – against Staffordshire at Aston Wood GC.  Details to follow.  Start revving up – game on !

Judy Gascoigne

DCG – Senior Ladies Captain 22/23

07854 732590

 (DCG – Seniors Match Report Derbys v Warwicks 25 Aug 2022 – as at 28.08.22 - 19:08)

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