DESPITE the challenging wet conditions faced by golf clubs, it has been encouraging to see good numbers of ladies at Ross-on-Wye Golf Club playing in the winter competitions whenever it has been possible to play, reports RUTH KIRCHMEIER.

On February 27, a Yellow Peril Competition was played on the front nine holes by 27 ladies in the 1-2-3 Waltz Stableford competition.

First were Katie Stooke, Lois Price and Martha Norton with 36 points, followed by Julia Wilde, Karen Mirfin and Janet Hyndman in second with 33 points. In third were Jenny Freel, Lorraine Fenner and Christine Snell with 32 points.   

Thirty three ladies played in the 1-2-3 Waltz Stableford competition on the front 9 holes on Tuesday, March 26.

Erika Atkins, Jackie Wheatstone and Ruth Pimlow came in first with 30 points on countback from Ruth Kirchmeier, Jose Wilson and Nadia Stirling, with Jenny Freel, Wendy Ancrum and Christine Morris with 29 points in third.  

On Tuesday, April 2, 26 ladies played in a 16-hole Foursomes, Ros Ashton and Helen Shaw winning with a 32 points.

Pam Duke and Dinah Johnston came second with 29 points, closely followed by Allison Charles and Jenny Freel with 28 points.   

In the weeks when competitions had to be cancelled due to the adverse conditions, former Lady Captain Katie Stooke and current Lady Captain Lorraine Fenner organised a variety of fun activities, such as very useful rule sessions and indoor putting competitions to encourage the ladies to continue to come up to the club on Tuesday mornings.

These sessions were well supported and the atmosphere in the club house was convivial as members enjoyed catching up over coffee or lunch.  

Sadly, The Last Gasp Competition on March 5, for last year’s Lady Captain Katie had to be cancelled due to inclement weather.

However, 56 ladies attended a delicious lunch  to bid Katie farewell and thank her for all her hard work over the year. 

Incoming Lady Captain Lorraine fared better the following week, when she did manage to do her drive in between showers, to the applause and welcome of those watching.

Unfortunately her Bowmaker Competition had to be cancelled, but the ladies had fun playing in the indoor putting competition won by Jose Wilson, followed by a delicious lunch.  

Lorraine has chosen a Ledbury-based charity Megan Baker House for her year as Lady Captain, a centre for conductive education for children and adults.

Tokens bought by the ladies estimating the length of Lorraine’s drive at her drive-in and entries for the putting competition raised £142 for this worthy charity.