Since I was last scribing here, we have had some very mixed conditions, with the weather system throwing everything at us! After the course was closed again on Monday this week, I was delighted to receive Peter Bradburn’s message giving us a snapshot of the likely weather to come in the next few days, along with the predicted status of the course. Although this cannot be an exact science, it is a very useful initiative to manage our golfing expectations.
It’s been another busy fortnight. Tuesday 7th November was the day designated to play the first rounds of the knockout Danziger Foursomes competition. 11 matches were completed in the lovely dry autumn sunshine – and judging by the buzz in the Club Café afterwards there were some very close contests (and some not so close)! but it seemed everyone had fun on the course.
Three of the greens were temporary and much to the delight of some players, these holes were ‘bucket size’ – meaning that we could give the ball a good tonk, with a high chance of hitting the target!
Two days later, the Pearson and Derry Team ladies were on parade. More heavy rain on the previous day meant that the course conditions prevented trolleys – a tough ask under any circumstances. After some early morning negotiation between the Pearson Captains, it was decided that one player from each team should have help with carrying bags due to minor ailments/injuries.
Well done Roehampton Club for providing BOTH bag carriers – to Claire Martin for looking after our home team Member and Captain Therese Swanson, who gallantly carried for the opposition. Roehampton Club Ladies are the perfect hosts!
Both teams were on top form, with the Pearson ladies winning 6/1.The Derry Team – comprising Jo Thesiger, Jane Peel and Lorna Robey, won over Foxhills 2/1. Congratulations to everyone in both teams.
My, the Pearson ladies are busy – off they went again on Monday 13th November to play away at Reigate Hill (RH). Roehampton was closed that day due more heavy rainfall, but RH was open and the ladies were obliged to use trolleys with winter wheels – kindly provided by RH members. The Home advantage prevailed with a 4-3 win to the opposition. Congratulations to all our players – a tricky course in winter conditions by reputation.
And on the day this Recorder goes to press, Pearson ladies are out again, playing Away at The Drift – more news in the next issue.
On Saturday 11th November, I went along to meet eight delightful ladies from Oxford University who came to play at Roehampton Club.
This match was postponed from February and arranged at relatively short notice and it turned out to be a highly successful (and sunny) day.
Captained by Claire Martin, four matches of 4BBB were played, with Roehampton Club winning 3/1.
Bringing this golfing fortnight to a close, we had a fun competition on Tuesday this week, being Four Clubs + Putter. A dry start to the morning soon turned into persistent rain which certainly took the ‘fun’ out of the competition for many of us who got soaked!
Congratulations to Emma Angood winning with an impressive 34 points, closely followed by Susan Major and Andreina Townsend with 33 points and Jo Thesiger and Sally Gesua with 30 points apiece.
We have a Stableford competition on Saturday 18th November, with booking now open on Intelligent Golf. We have two roll ups on Sunday 19th November.
Early birds should turn up at 07:30 in the café to be ready to tee off at 08:00 – or for those wanting a more leisurely start, meet in the bar at 11:30. Play this week will be non-qualifying, but anyone wishing to put in a card can do so, declaring your round in the Pro shop before going out.
Saturday 16 December is the mixed Charity Christmas event in aid of mine and Peter McGovern’s joint charity Small Steps – sign up on 2nd December.
Tuesday 19 December is the Ladies Christmas golf, 9 holes 4BBB and lunch – sign up 29 November.
A few Members have been asking about key diary dates for Spring/Summer 2024, so here they are:
13th February Charity Foursomes Golf and Bridge
14th May Spring Meeting
21st May Spring Meeting Foursomes
11th June Ladies Invitation Day
25th June Lady Captain’s Day
The full 2024 programme will be added to Intelligent Golf soon.
Further to the sad news of the recent death of long-standing Member, Nicola Pyne the Club has received an obituary from her attorney and information about a memorial gathering on Saturday 20th January 2024 to celebrate her life.
This will be held in a private room at a pub in Chiswick with a late morning start for a ceremony with tributes. A light lunch and drinks will follow. Details will be provided in due course but, in the meantime, please save the date. To help with numbers, please let the Roehampton Club Membership Team (020 8480 4221 or membership@roehamptonclub.co.uk) know by 28th November 2023 if you would like to attend.
Click here for Nicola’s obituary
It is with great sadness to report that Nan, aged 93, passed away peacefully at home on 14th November. She was an Honorary Member of Roehampton Club, joining in her teens. She was a long-standing golf member and latterly an enthusiastic and very popular member of the croquet section.
