Women and Girl’s Golf Week Celebrating Newbies Women and Girl’s golf week is a chance for women and girls to showcase their achievements and contributions to the game. With aims to increase the involvement of more ladies in golf, one of the main themes is ‘Celebrating Newbies’. This allows ladies who are new to the game to share their stories, explain how they got involved in the sport and why they are enjoying it.
One great story about new golfers is the story of the new lady members at Lee On The Solent Golf Club in Hampshire. Kate Dymott, Nicky Barker, Kathy Torlot and Nicky Zaki are four of the new flexible members who have joined the club. The flexible membership allows the ladies to purchase a certain number of points which they can use to play when they want instead of paying full price for full-time membership. Even though the system comes with some drawbacks, for example not being able to play at peak times, it provides the ladies with the ability to play together, get to know the other members and earn a handicap. The ladies were first introduced to the club by family members and all participated in the ladies group lessons, which are offered by the club professional, Kevin Caplehorn. All the ladies have made incredible progress and are now regularly playing on the course. They have met the current Lady Captain, Anne Chambers-Glover, who introduced herself and was on hand to answer any questions or queries the ladies might have. The interview below gives an insight into how the ladies started and why they’re enjoying the game. Kathy Torlot: Question - Why did you decide to take up the game? Answer - I decided to take up golf as all my four children and my husband play and I have been the one always just walking round. I had recently retired and the children have all left home, so I have more time on my hands to have golf lessons and learn to play. I have also been on several golf holidays with my husband playing golf and me just meeting up with everyone afterwards, so it was ‘if you can’t beat them, join them!’
Question - What do you enjoy the most about golf? Answer - The best bit of golf is exercising outside with my friends, being away from contact with the real world, having to concentrate hard on something without distractions and of course, the best bit is hitting a good shot! We also manage to have a laugh when shots go badly wrong. All-round it’s very addictive and virtually impossible to do perfectly every time. so makes you come back again and again! Nicky Zaki: Question - Tell me about why you took up golf. Answer - My parents have played for years and have always tried to persuade me to take the game up. Over the years, I have had various lessons but never loved the game enough to continue or to find the time to play. When I met my husband 15 years ago, he was playing occasionally, and I encouraged him to play more as it gave him a break from a very stressful job. Over the last few years, I have been on various golfing holidays with my parents and my husband and have learnt the game, how to score and the rules. Then last year, I suddenly got bored and said I want to try and hit the ball. I persuaded Kathy to join me in having lessons and here we are a year on and playing two to three times a week. Question - How has your golfing experience been so far? Answer - Finding golf buddies to play with has made the game so much more enjoyable. I look forward to our lessons each week and now we are out playing the course, it has been great to put those lessons into practice. Not every shot is great, but I have learnt to take home the positives from each round. Lockdown has given me the opportunity to play more often and now I hooked! Nicky Barker: Question - How long have you been playing golf? Answer - So I started in my late teens playing on the pitch and putt. I loved it! Anything involving sport and the outdoors was always up my street. My whole family (Mum, Dad, Sister, Husband and sons) have played golf and have been members at a club. I’ve never thought of joining a club until now. This was due to the amount of time it took out of your day. I’m now giving myself more time to play more and work less. Since having lessons at Lee On The Solent, I’ve met up with some lovely ladies who are seen to play as much as I am. It’s fabulous and great fun.
Question - What would you say to others thinking of taking up the game? Answer - I would say to anyone that loves to get outdoors and enjoys sport and staying active, give golf a go! It’s a sociable sport and keeps you active. It challenges you in so many ways. Kate Dymott: Question - What were the reasons you got into golf? Answer - For years I have watched my husband play, and over the last few years have been watching both my daughters get into the game, who now both play very well. It was only now, that I have a bit more time on my hands, that I have thought about taking the game up myself. Therefore, a year or so ago I started joining the ladies group lessons at Lee on Solent as I had no idea how to hit the ball!! Kev has been great in encouraging us ladies and boosting our confidence in the game.’
Question - What keeps you coming back? Answer - Both the friends that I have made and the enjoyment of the lessons and playing the game is what I keep coming back for. It is so nice to learn with others, and now we regularly get a 4-ball together for a game each week. It is the most frustrating but addictive game! If I have one or two good shots a round, I'm happy... and that's what keeps me wanting to play again!’ Written by Hannah Dymott - England Golf and Golf Foundation Young Ambassador. |