History is Made

Scotland won the Senior Ladies' Home Internationals yesterday at Newport Golf Club in Wales for the first time ever, since it was inaugurated in 2003. Until last year, when Wales unexpectedly snatched victory, England had had a vice-like grip on the Sue Johnson Trophy and now it was Scotland's turn.

There was no question that losing Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) from the team just days before departure was a heavy blow. Everyone knew that they would have to find that extra little something from somewhere, that one loose putt per match or a drop in focus, could totally affect the final result and had to be avoided at all costs. So that's exactly what they did. Day One against Ireland, victory by 5½ to 2½. Day Two against England, victory by 4½ to 3½ - so long-awaited, so very sweet. Day Three against Wales, the holders, victory by 5½ to 2½. (An easy calculation had demonstrated that a loss to Wales was a likely win yet again for England, on goal difference)

Captain Pam Williamson of Baberton was a skipper with a mission. Her energy and purpose was unquenchable and she inspired her team which included three East Vets, Moira Thomson (Gullane Ladies), Fiona Hunter (Baberton) and Noreen Fenton (Dunbar) together with Heather Anderson (Alyth), Fiona de Vries (St Rule), Mary Smith (Tain) and Kathleen Sutherland (Royal Montrose) who replaced Lorna Bennett. Pamela padded round and round the whole course morning and afternoon, wired up, not to Classic FM but a succession of communicated hole by hole results of all her players, relayed by volunteer scorers with each match. These scorers were excessively keen but just occasionally, at the height of the backswing on the following tee, one could hear syncopated reports being relayed back to base with a crisp "over and out" at the finish which was often quite off-putting. Also from the East Vets were two other supporters, Ethel Jack (president SLGA) and Janet Wake of Merchants who was team manager and whose duffel bag was stuffed with goodies - fruit and nuts, kitkats and jaffa-cakes which have been clinically proven to fit the necessary nutritional bill. With this kind of preparation, how could we fail!

The team had been hard at it from Saturday but the worst bit was definitely getting up between five o'clock and six o'clock every morning to get to the golf course via the bus driven by Janet, get kitted out with clubs and caddy-cars, fit in some pre-match practice and other necessary visits before eight o'clock when it all began. For some obscure reason, Scotland had drawn the short straw and was out early on all three days so there was never any let-up and no chance of slightly longer lies. On the practice ground, it was just light enough to see the ball flight and the early morning mist so enshrouded the players that from a distance, only their top halves could be seen. That quickly burnt off.

The next major problem for the captain was organising the organisers of the caddycar allocations and the caddies themselves. These caddies were all volunteer members (and all claiming some percentage however small of Scottish blood). Some of the caddies were quite senior even compared to the Ladies themselves and they travelled at their own speed which was often slightly slower than the LGU speed guidelines. One or two of them introduced themselves to their player, slowly deposited all their own requisites - clothes, drinks etc - in the players' already crammed bag only to discover they were in fact the caddies of the opposition and the process had to start all over again. There were many hiccups and this was indeed a major operation requiring tact and diplomacy. But everything was always ready by eight o'clock.

The weather every day was wonderful - almost an unblemished sky which on day three, more than once was sporting a celestial saltire - an auspicious omen indeed. The course and greens were in wonderful condition and it was a joy to play or walk on. For the supporters watching there were closely fought matches or - should the inclination be more geared toward Nature - there were squirrels, croaking toads, screeching buzzards, tapping woodpeckers, jays, robins, long-tailed tits, quite the inexhaustable supply of ornithological specimens.

And throughout there was the very best atmosphere between the players, many of whom had been friends for years but whose matches were played out in the most highly competitive manner. The on-line scoring which was provided for supporters at home showed just how many birdies, even eagles, that were scored, all proving the superior quality of senior ladies' golf, something which is often overlooked.

Scotland should be proud that their Senior Ladies Team - unlike its women's team and its girls team - actually managed to do just what it set out to do - win the Home Internationals. Congratulations to them. A wonderful achievement.

All the results day by day were reported in great detail on Kirkwoodgolf. A slideshow will follow.