BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY GOLF LIMITED

LADIES NEWSLETTER
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 2024 PAGE 1
England Golf’s County of the Year for 2023

HUGE SUCCESS FOR THE COUNTY AT THE 2024

CENTENARY ENGLAND GOLF AWARDS –
BEDFORDSHIRE GOLF CLUB AND COLMWORTH AND
NORTH BEDS GOLF CLUB BOTH NATIONAL WINNERS

Bedfordshire Golf Club were crowned the England Golf Colmworth Golf Club were handed the England Golf
Club of the Year for 2024 at the England Golf Centenary Sustainability Project of the Year award for 2024 at the
Dinner & Awards at The Midland Manchester Hotel. General England Golf Centenary Dinner & Awards at The Midland
Manager at Bedfordshire Golf Club, Glenn Rayner, receiving Manchester Hotel.
the Club of the Year award, said: “I can’t believe it. It’s a Located in rural north Bedfordshire and surrounded by acres
real honour to win this and it’s amazing for us and our of rural habitat, Colmworth provides the surrounding
members.Our members really value this award and this wildlife with sanctuaries dotted around the course.
award is for our volunteers and our staff. Our team is They also plant a tree for every couple who get married at
amazing and it is a credit to the people who go out every day their wedding venue on top of the many trees they already
and do the job for nothing. It’s great for our club and our plant.
county.” Having made the move to using organic TurfCare –
Through a range of media, the Bedfordshire engages with Colmworth have massively reduced their use of pesticides
residents in the area and now has a vibrant junior section, and fungicides, while the course drains into its lakes which
welcoming golfers of all levels, starting from 6 years up to in turn supplies its irrigation.
17, with handicaps from one upwards, and individuals All of its ponds are healthy and are home to many fish and a
playing club competitions and regularly representing the vast array of wildlife including kingfisher.
county. The club also hosts the County Junior/Academy The club has its own honey bees and sells the honey in its
Programme, Schools’ Scratch Championships and a Rookie shop, as well as recycled aluminium water bottles with a
Schools event. They have also run Girls Golf Rocks for refill station on the 13th tee.
several years and now run Women on Par, as they aim to get From utilising reclaimed materials, providing bamboo-only
more females into the game. The club has integrated new tees, or moving to solar panels, Colmworth is doing all it
members and encouraged parental involvement, while can to become a sustainable golf club.
catering for members of all ages, while graded subscriptions
have allowed golf to be more affordable. As part of the
club’s commitment to becoming more sustainable, they have
also had planning approval received for a reservoir.
Rayner added: “We’re a really vibrant club with a nine-hole
short course and a driving range and we’ll just keep doing
what we’ve been doing. I’m really proud to be part of The
Bedfordshire.
"With the junior section where Sue Marsh runs our Women
on Par initiative and Jason Mow who looks after our junior
section, it's great, and I love the members having a good time
and that’s why I do my job.”
 BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY GOLF LIMITED – LADIES NEWSLETTER
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 2024 PAGE 2

COUNTY COMPETITIONS ARE OPEN FOR ENTRIES – PLEASE

ENTER AND SUPPORT YOUR COUNTY EVENTS.

COUNTY HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP & SPRING MEETING

This is our first competition of the year, to be held at Dunstable Downs on Monday 29 April.

The County Spring Meeting is held concurrently with the Women’s Handicap Championship and all
participants in the Handicap Championship are also entrants in the Spring meeting (no additional fee is
required).

The Championship/Spring Meeting is an individual qualifying medal over 18 holes, played off WHS
Handicap 95%. The maximum handicap index limit is 48 so this competition is open to nearly everyone.

**YOU could be our next handicap champion!**

Even if that doesn’t happen, there is still plenty to play for. There are lots of prizes on offer.
As part of the Spring Meeting, the following trophies will be awarded:
a. The Janet Miller Trophy will be awarded to the player who has the best gross score.
b. The Dalton Salver will be awarded to the player who has the best nett score

In addition to the prizes for the handicap championship, best gross and nett scores, depending on
entries, prizes will be awarded across 4 Divisions.

1st Division: Playing Handicap up to 18

2nd Division: Playing Handicap 19 – 28
3rd Division: Playing Handicap 29 – 38
4th Division: Playing Handicap 39 – 48.

AND, the results of the Spring Meeting are combined with the results of the Autumn Meeting, so there
are aggregate trophies to compete for.
Ampthill Cup – awarded to the player with the best aggregate nett scores from the Spring and
Autumn meetings
Antcliffe Bowl – awarded to the player with the best aggregate gross scores from the Spring and
Autumn meetings
Please enter and support this important event. The entry fee also includes coffee and a roll
before play and a rolling meal afterwards. Entry is via the County Website.
 BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY GOLF LIMITED – LADIES NEWSLETTER
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 2024 PAGE 3

BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY COMPETITIONS

Handicap Championship &

Mon 29th April Dunstable Downs GC
Spring Meeting

County Championships 1st & 2nd June Aspley Guise GC

Seniors Championship Mon 24th June Bedford & County GC

Women’s 18-Holes 4BBB Mon 15th July The Millbrook GC

Junior Girls Championship Thurs 1st August Pavenham Park GC

18-Holes Foursomes Wed 7th August Chalgrave Manor GC

Thurs 5th Colmworth & North

Seniors 4BBB
September Beds

Mixed Foursomes Sun 8th September Bedfordshire GC

Autumn Meeting Thurs 3rd October Pavenham Park GC

County Fun(d) Day Mon 14th October Bedfordshire GC

EASTERN REGION COMPETITIONS

36 Hole Foursomes Thurs 18th April Brampton Park GC

County Match Week 27th-30th June Felixstowe Ferry GC

Australian Spoons East Dyrham Park Country
Fri 5th July
Region Final Club
Senior Ladies Championship Thurs 18th July St Ives GC

Junior Girls County Day 6th – 8th August Melbourne GC

Second Team Trophy 18th -21st August South Beds GC

Ladies Championship Fri 6th September Stoke By Nayland

Sat 14th
Junior Girls Team Trophy Aspley Guise GC
September
Junior Championship Thurs 15th August Norfolk
 BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY GOLF LIMITED – LADIES NEWSLETTER
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 2024 PAGE 4

Bedfordshire County Golf

Bedfordshire County Golf are seeking our next

Championship Leader
Sadly after 9 years our Competitions Director,
David Corfan has decided that 2024 will be his last year.

Therefore, we are seeking a replacement that can work

alongside the unified team of David & Breege this year to
learn the intricacies of IG in preparation for 2025. Below are
the Major events you will lead with the team.

Junior Boy & County County Senior County Men & County County Junior County Mixed
Girl County Fourball Men & Women Foursomes Inter Club Foursomes
Championship Championship Women Championship (Early May, (End June, (Mid Sept,
(1st Wk (End July, Champioship (First June, Sunday) Saturday) Sunday)
Pavenham Leighton Bedford &
AG & WS South Beds The Millbrook Bedfordshire
Park Buzzard County
Sat-01-Jun
Thu-01-Aug Sun-21-Jul Thu-27-Jun Sun-12-May Sat-08-Jun Sun-08-Sep
Sun-02-Jun
Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed

If you are interested, please contact the

County Secretary, David Hawkins.
[email protected] 07885 196997
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NEWS FROM OUR CLUBS Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands Golf Club

Sadly, the weather has continued to be very wet, but we have managed to get some golf in, and are still looking
forward to a drier Spring.
Club Results -Tuesday 6th February
Despite the competition being reduce to the 7 available holes, 24 Ladies entered the competition.
1st Powatti Simper 17 pts 2nd Avril King 17 pts 3rd Joan Hosker 16 pts
Tuesday 13th February (Pancake Day)
In spite of the weather, and the competition being abandoned 30 ladies took part. Some carrying for 9 and,
some with trolleys for 9, and some doing both. Great atmosphere in the bar afterwards with pancakes served.
Tuesday 20th February
Competition abandoned again but some 34 ladies played, either 9 or 15 holes, carrying or with trolleys.
Sunday 25th February
6 weekend ladies took part Ellie Harding winning with 38 pts, in her first Ladies competition, well done Ellie.
Tuesday 27th February
On a bright dry, if a little misty to start with, the Ladies looked forward to playing the full 18 holes.
Ladies 9 Hole
1st Yvonne Richards with 18 pts 2nd Jane Firth 15 pts 3rd Vicky Astley 13 pts`
Ladies Greensomes
1st Powatti Simper & Jacqui Webber 40 pts 2nd Gill Davies & Joan Hosker 37 pts
3rd Diane Green & Jenny Rose 36 pts

COUNTY SHIELD

Ladies Captains Past and Present, Sharon and Jenny, were presented
with the County shield at the County AGM. The third year in a row
Aspley Ladies have won this event. Also presented was a permanent
trophy inscribed with the names of all the Ladies who played last
year. Thank you Bedfordshire for this lovely touch.

Social

Lots to look forward to on the Social Scene:

Sunday 10th March - Mothers Day Carvery
Monday 18th March - Whist Drive
Friday 22nd March - Ladies Annual Dinner
Friday 26th April - Comedy Night
Saturday 25th May - Capt vs Vice Captain Golf & Social
Saturday 15th June - Abba Tribute Night
Saturday 31st August - Proms on the Course
 BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY GOLF LIMITED – LADIES NEWSLETTER
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 2024 PAGE 8

More news from our Clubs Bedford and County Golf Club

Paul Tomblin, assisted by President

John Reeds, was back in action for a Valentine’s Quiz in February. 14
teams found out just how much they did, or did not know on the night
and enjoyed a lovely Cottage pie at half time to reignite their brain cells!

We had new winners this time – Naked Ambition, previous winners, had
84 points, “The Winners” with 87 points – Jordan Fortune and girlfriend
Liz, with teammates Claire and Doug Cummings nearly lived up to their
name but they were pipped by Peta and Lloyd Conaway, Dave Hewitt
and Sharon Shreeves – Leonidas – who scored 88 points!

Thanks for a great evening Paul.

Two more events you might like to join us for…..

With so much rain recently we were delighted to be able to

hold the annual competition for the Tinder Cup. This is
played on the nearest Tuesday to Valentine’s Day – this year
on Tuesday 13th February – and sees teams of ladies and men
sign up with a subsequent draw for partners. It did rain all
day but nonetheless it was an enjoyable match – only over 13
holes (but we were grateful for that!) – followed by some
very welcome leek and potato soup and sandwiches. Despite
the rain the scores were good with the runners up, Heather
Nolan and Tom Inskip gaining 29 points, but our trophy
winners were Linda Stock and Neil Hodgkins who amassed
31 points.
 BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY GOLF LIMITED – LADIES NEWSLETTER
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 2024 PAGE 9

News from Bedfordshire Golf Club

13th February 2024

Club of the Year Award by England Golf - Message from our
General Manager, Glenn Rayner
Bedfordshire Golf Club secured the most prestigious award,
becoming winner of 'Golf Club of the Year 2024'.
To become a finalist is an achievement in itself, but to win is
the icing on the cake. It is testament to our great staff team,
and also importantly, the hard work and dedication of the army
of volunteers, who make Bedfordshire Golf Club such a great
place to be a Member.
I'm really proud to be part of Bedfordshire Golf Club. We
have a really vibrant and happy members club, with both 18
and 9 Hole Courses and a Driving Range. We'll keep on doing
what we've been doing as we know it works."

GEORGIA MUNDY
A member of Bedfordshire Golf Club and she won the
Bedfordshire Schools Girls Championships 2024 golfing
competition with a nett score of 67 in October. The girls
were under 18. The children represent their school from all
over the county, private and state schools. She also played in
the Shires Tour Grand Final and won the silver division by
four shots against boys and girls under 18. With that she won
a round of golf with Charley Hull two weeks ago and this has
inspired Georgia to work really hard in her game and her
ambition is to be a professional golfer. We wish Georgia, the
very best and a bright future.

Women’s 9 Hole Best Two from Three - Tuesday February 6th

1st – Maureen Dawson, Heather Houchin & Carol Mizzi – 24pts
Women’s 18 Hole Best two from three Saturday, Feb 3rd and Tuesday Feb 6th
1st - Winners Gill Shinkwin, Karen Chandler and Gill Burn - 63 pts
Elna Ball, New Ladies' Captain Charity, Coffee Morning, Tuesday 13th February
It was a busy morning with games, stalls and great cakes. The morning raised over £300 for Elna's charity which
is the MS Therapy Centre Bedford. A huge thank you to everyone that helped make her first fundraising event a
huge success.
 BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY GOLF LIMITED – LADIES NEWSLETTER
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 2024 PAGE 10

More news from our Clubs The John O’Gaunt Golf Club
John O’Gaunt Patio Project
Our Lady Captain Lorna Jerome has been inspecting how the work for the Patio is coming along.
The company that is carrying out the work is called Entex Projects , work started in January, and despite the
weather they have managed to keep on track for finishing in March.
This two tier wrap around patio will be fantastic outdoor space for all our members and guests .

News from Mowsbury Golf Club

What a month this has been with so much rain. It has meant that no competitions have been able to take place
due to the course being closed for some of the month.
However a fantastic social evening was held for the Captains farewell, which as you will see from the pictures
had an Irish theme. This included an Irish dancing display which was amazing and enjoyed by all. Who would
have thought you could get a kick so high.
The Captains charity this past year was for Sue Ryder and a cheque was presented to a member of the Sue Ryder
team at our A.G.M for £3502.00
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More news from our Clubs PAVENHAM PARK GOLF CLUB

Pavenham Park officially welcomed the 2024 Captains for the Ladies & Men’s sections at the annual AGM
held on 23rd February. Ian & Merlyn now hand the batons onto Sandra Birch & Graeme Lewis. Ian &
Merlyn both had a fantastic year in 2023. The combined efforts of their sections raising well over £8000 for
their chosen charity, Samaritans. Well done to both a fantastic achievement.
Then on Saturday to start the fund raising for this years captains the annual quiz was held a great evening of
food & quiz - with the winning team being from Pavenham Park GC a first for quite a while. Congratulations
here the team being presented with their prizes by the outgoing captains. A great night again and much thanks
to Kevin Parker & Ray De Branco as Quiz Masters, who do a great job putting the evening together. We look
forward to next years quiz.!!

News from South Beds Golf Club

Another successful coffee morning held at
South Beds GC. We managed to persuade
the Pro, Michael Davies, to give us some
hints and tips on putting.
He kindly put up the app on the TV and
showed us all where we were failing in our
putting. An eye opener for sure.
Carol Clarke and Jean Hoar won the quiz on
the day. The final coffee morning is on 13
March our General Manager will be taking
any questions that the Ladies may have.

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