A Goodbye to Elise

Libby Burnet, Captain of Gullane Ladies very kindly said a few words about our dear friend and past Captain, Elise Guy, on the occasion of her funeral service last Saturday at Mortonhall. She has given permission for this to be reproduced on the website.

Elise Guy

A remarkable lady -

Captain of Prestonfield Golf Club 1980

Past Committee member of North Berwick Golf Club

Honorary Secretary Gullane Ladies' Golf Club 1989 - 92

Captain of East of Scotland Vets 2008 - 10

Having in her eighties just slipped out of the Silver Division, she became 2009 Bronze Champion of Gullane Ladies' Golf Club.

Apart from her family, Elise lived for her golf and the friendships she made through golf.

When the weather was too bad for golf - which was not often in Elise's book - she walked the course before returning to the Clubhouse to spend time with her friends.

She was very much part of the scene at Gullane Ladies'.

She went out of her way to ensure new members felt welcomed to the Club and was invariably kind and encouraging to beginners. She presented the Crofthill Cup which is awarded annually to our Junior Champion.

Small of stature, people felt protective towards her but she had an inner core of steel and determination which you underestimated at your peril. She was always a formidable but fair competitor.

In the words of some of her closest friends:

Elise played her golf in a bubble of concentration, she did not expect there to be much conversation during a round and woe betide a passing butterfly, a squeaking trolley or the footfall of an errant partner - all would be met with polite disapproval.

On two occasions, one friend witnessed the head of her driver fly off the shaft, propelled by the lightning speed generated by the pent-up surge of her swing - a swing which always had a full follow-through.

Dedicated to the practice ground, her partners often had to call her in from there before a competition, in order to be sure she would make her tee-off time.

Every pro's shop was scoured for desirable items of green clothing - though brown was allowed as a substitute. A green headed driver would have been her delight! Colour co-ordination was sacrosanct.

Annually, one of the weekends she most enjoyed was the Scottish Vets Autumn Meeting at Blairgowrie. With one exception, she had attended this event every year since 1986 - quite a record!

Only last week, Elise played a few holes of golf with friends on Monday and Tuesday. She was looking lively and I am reliably informed she was expressing concern that she might not be playing enough to be able to return the requisite number of cards to keep her handicap!

She was a very special lady who will be greatly missed by many people whose lives she enriched with her friendship. We shall remember her with respect and affection for her kindness, her humour and her amazing enthusiasm and determination.

Thank-you Libby and your co-correspondents Ethel Jack, Carol Macleod and Asp Robertson.