30th November 2016

Yesterday 107 women and guests attended our Women’s Christmas break-up luncheon. It was a very happy occasion and a fitting end to our golf year.  As our women’s sub-committee changes over on this day the retiring committee members, Captain Sally and MaryClare were thanked for their contribution to women’s golf at LGC.

The new committee for 2017 is:

Helen Irwin (Women’s President), Wilma Crake (Vice President), Kath Evans (Women’s Captain), Jill Leonard (Vice Captain – for one year only), Jeanne Hildebrandt (Secretary), Myrna Maloney (Social Secretary)

With my first year as Women’s President drawing to a close, it is time to reflect on the past year. Throughout the year the harmony amongst the women has been maintained ensuring a happy atmosphere in the clubhouse with the women working together to ensure our reputation as the friendly club continues. This year we continued to attract new women members. Our reputation as the friendly club encourages this.  We welcome every new lady member, high or low handicap it does not matter to us.  Thursday’s Chook Run is a soft entry to the club for newer players taking up golf.   

This year has again been a busy time with social, gold letter, major events and our special days.  It was a great start to the year with the Women’s Open Day in early February with 100 players entered.  This momentum has continued throughout the year with all our special days being well supported, peaking with 124 players on Guest Day, even though some other clubs in the area have struggled to attract the same numbers.  This has been achieved with the cooperation of my talented women’s sub-committee, Sally Collier (women’s captain), Kath Evans (women’s vice captain), MaryClare Hoare (women’s vice president), Jeanne Hildebrandt (secretary) and Myrna Maloney (social secretary). We have worked well together to make all these events a success.  Thank you.

In the past we have had problems with the catering, but this year I have been lucky enough to have Rachael and her team also ensuring these days were a success. She is very generous and easy to work with and this has certainly made my job easier.  Thank you.

Also Lorraine and the bar staff for looking after us this year and assisting with our functions.  Thank you.

Throughout the year I have also had the cooperation and support of our club manager, Rob Aulich. I feel he appreciates how well the women run their side of golf, and this is reciprocated by giving me air time when needed!  Thank you Rob.

Lynda in the front office is a great asset to the club with her calm, pleasant, cooperative manner.  We appreciate her creativity, bringing to fruition some of the crazy ideas we come up with for these special days.  Thank you Lynda and office staff.

I would like to acknowledge the contribution made by some of our women volunteers – Wilma Crake and team (annual golf trip), Sue Miller (gardening) Marley (photography) Elizabeth Stephenson (flower roster – ensuring that our ladies room looks cheerful each month.  Thank you Jessica for the flower arranging for this month.  Some of us are more talented than others, and I think Jessica is the Queen in this department!)  There are many others that step in and help out when asked.  Thank you everyone.

I would like to say a special thank you to Judy Collins.  The Thursday Chook Run competition continues to be well supported, going from strength to strength and is a fun day enjoyed by all. Who would have believed only a few years ago that 86 would be celebrating the Chook Run Xmas breakup, as was witnessed last week. Events such as Chooks v Roosters and Sean’s Speed Pennant on Thursday evenings gives the women and men members an opportunity to play together and thus enhance the goodwill within the club. I wish to thank Judy for her enthusiastic support of the club.  Apart from this Judy is the first one to offer to help when needed and I appreciate the support she gives to me.

Congratulations to all the Championship and Gold Letter Event winners this year.  Thank you to those women that have travelled to other clubs for pennant, etc. to represent our club with varying degrees of success.  It is important to participate and support other clubs in the area. 

I have enjoyed this year representing the women.  The support and comradary of the wonderful, talented women at this club make it all worthwhile and that is why I decided to rescind my tendered resignation a few months ago.

A special thanks to MaryClare for her work as women’s vice president this year. Even though she is not continuing on next year she will assist me in other ways I am sure. 

Wilma Crake will be taking on the role of vice president next year.

Today Sally Collier retires as women’s captain.  I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Sally and thank her for her contribution to women’s golf at LGC.  I have enjoyed having the opportunity to get to know Sally well and to realize what a great person she is. Sally took over as vice captain when Jude McTaggart resigned in mid January 2014.  Then captain, Jo, immediately walked up to Sal’s place and told Stephen what had happened and within 20 minutes Sal rang and said I’m in what can I do!  Clearly a life saver for Jo.  So only one year as vice captain  and what a terrific captain she has been – straightforward no messing around with a wicked sense of humour.  At pennant night dinners you see the other side of Sally.  I will miss her input next year; she comes up with some terrific ideas.  A special thank you Sally.

Today Kath steps up to the role of women’s captain and I look forward to working with Kath to ensure that women’s golf remains well run, vibrant and fun.

Jill Leonard will take over from Kath as vice captain for next year only.  Jill has been a past captain and we are very thankful that she is prepared to step in to help out next year in spite of having her own health issues this year.

I look forward to working with the new women’s sub-committee next year.

I started the year with the following quote and sincerely hope this can happen in the future to make Lonsdale Golf Club the club we can all be proud to be a part of.

Coming together is a beginning
Keeping together is progress
Working together is success

The club is indebted to the Task Force, who after all these years has delivered an exciting future for LGC. This will hopefully be ratified at the AGM at 10 am Sunday 11th December.  Please make your vote count.  This club is so very lucky to have these professionals working on our behalf, giving up so much of their time in this voluntary capacity.  

In conclusion I wish you and your families a Happy Christmas and look forward to another successful year of golf in 2017.  I am looking forward to a few weeks break to re-energize ready for next year!!

Helen Irwin
Women’s President

 

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