The Suffolk Ladies County Golf Association

Here’s what happened at the AGM…

Thanks to the unique capabilities of Zoom, the 89th Annual General Meeting of the Association was held on Saturday 8th January 2022 as planned. 

The customary minute’s silence was held to remember those who were lost during the previous twelve months. 

In her opening remarks, the retiring President, Joanne Woodward, ran through the history of her tenure in the office, covering the two years of the pandemic and the tribulations of keeping golf going during that time.   The playing season for 2020 was virtually lost, but 2021, though difficult, was better in that the County Championships, County Match Week and Junior Match Week were held and competitive golf within the county came alive again. 

Last December’s Governing Body meeting was the only face-to-face meeting held in that time.   She thanked particularly, Di Hegarty, Hermione Scrope, Amanda Norman and Belinda Rowe for their dedication and hard work and gave a special mention to the nurturing of the junior golfers in their developing game.

She also paid tribute to her successor as President, Lils James. Lils is a member of Bungay and Waveney Golf Club, a very experienced player at County level, served as County Captain 2007-2008 and historically was a skilful and determined hockey player. She will be a valuable addition to the Governing Body and Suffolk’s golfing life in general.  The new President was not present at the meeting. She sent her apologies.

Amanda Norman, who is continuing as Captain for a third year to correct the arrangement allowing the President and Captain to change on alternate years rather than together, presented her Captain’s Report.  She paid tribute to the Suffolk team who performed with great determination in appalling weather during County Match Week and she made special mention of Sophie Kubitzek, a junior making her debut in the 1st team and playing extremely well.  She had previously reached the semi-finals of the Ladies County Championship.  Later in the meeting Sophie was awarded the Eva Harris Shield for her achievements in junior golf when the President admitted that she ‘could watch Sophie’s swing all day’, a very nice compliment.  Sophie also won the Suffolk Girls Order of Merit.  (Reports of County Match Week and the Championships appear appropriately elsewhere on the website).

The meeting moved on to Matters Arising in the Minutes of 2021, which covered the question of neutral venues for the Senior Jubilee Shield matches.   These were to remain the same (see Website: Competitions, Trophies, Seniors Jubilee Shield, 2022).

The Accounts were presented by Hermione Scrope.  A past President and exemplary Treasurer, she retired after this meeting, much admired by all who know her.  The County owed her a great debt of gratitude. Carol Deslandes (Felixstowe) was elected to take over the position. 

Annette Llewellyn, Handicap Adviser and unsung heroine, gave her report and said she had had a quiet year.  However, it seems that her work is always ongoing as she has to stay abreast of absolutely everything that affects the game of active golfers. The County members owe her particular thanks, not often expressed, for everything she does.

Another change to the Governing Body concerned the Junior Section.   Alice Barlow, a successful and dedicated Junior Organiser for several years, stood down to concentrate on her thriving golf game.  The County Captain later presented her with the Birrell Trophy for the fifth successive year, principally this time for winning all her matches at County Match Week.  She also won the Joy Winn Salver for 2021, recognising her score of 4 under par returned at Handsworth, Birmingham, during the year. 

Alice was succeeded as Junior Organiser by Sue Hayward, a member of Woodbridge Golf Club.  Juliette Coffey was announced as Junior Captain for 2022.  Jasmine Points won the trophy for the Junior Improver of the Year.  She reduced her Handicap Index from 11.4 to 5.8 in 2021.

Medal winners:  Christine Ashe (Bungay) won the Silver Medal, returning an amazing score of -14; Diane Stone (Gorleston) won the Bronze with a great score of -12.

Another point of interest for Suffolk Golfers is the reinstatement of a 2nd County Team.   The original Team fell by the wayside some years ago but is to revive, beginning this year.   Charlie Garrod (The Suffolk) introduced herself to the meeting as the incoming Captain of the 2nd Team. She mentioned later, when asked, that she began playing golf in Essex when she was eleven before moving to Norfolk where she became a County player and also captained the 2nd team. Obviously a good golfer, she has competed in club, regional and national competitions and has been club champion at various golf clubs.  She is a single figure golfer and is looking forward to being in touch shortly with likely 2nd team players.  Anyone interested, should bear this in mind.

Generous sponsors of SLCGA were announced as the meeting progressed:  East Anglian Builders, Sandlings Properties, for the Seniors;  Willis Towers Watson for the 2nd Team

Blue Books will be sent out to clubs but members are encouraged to use the website and online information.  

Julie Latimer-Jones.

January 2022.