Captains arrive prepared for the first challenge
Centenary Captains, Chris North and Sue Holdship had an early "flying" start to launch 2022, the Centenary year for Gerrards Cross Golf Club. They arrived in fine style by helicopter accompanied by Adam Grint and Alex Nelson showing a united front across the Club to start this Centenary year with an impact.
No time was wasted in raising funds for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, a charity which both Captains will be supporting for their year. In place of the traditional drive length lottery flags were on sale from the charity stall. These flags were placed on the first fairway at positions chosen by the contributing members. The venture was well supported by the good turn out of members and their families, a mass of red flags was strewn along the first fairway and rough. The General Manager and the Head Professional officiated by selecting the named red flags nearest the two balls. The Captains would like to express thanks to attending members who gave so generously to launch the fundraising for the charity on Day 1, we raised £800.
Ladies Winner - Alison White . Men's Winner - Jeremy Rhodes
Photo taken early on, many more red flags were to follow
Our Captains for GX Centenary Year -Sue Holdship & Chris North
Prosecco and Sausage Rolls were on offer as refreshments for spectators on a bright and windy morning. The traditional Foursome match: Men's Captain & General Manage v Lady Captain & Head Professional went ahead as usual, a narrow victory to the Captain & General Manager's team
The celebrations continued later, the unveiling the Men's Captain caricature in the Burrows Bar was hosted by the incoming Men's Vice Captain, Andrew Philpot . Thanks were given to artist and member, Gordon King who attended the ceremony. Since 1998 he has painted 31 caricatures for the club including one for the late Mary Lou Leckie to celebrate her Presidency in 2003. Chris North expanded on less obvious themes expressed in the work. The Captains and their guests then joined other members for a full house Sunday Lunch..
Update January 25th 2022
Gordon King sadly died in mid January 2022 following a major stroke, his 31st caricature for the club was his last.
Vice Captain Andrew Philpot, his first duty of the year
Gordon King caricature No. 31
The Centenary year for the club has been long in the planning. Former Chairman, Catriona Porter, set the ball rolling many years ago, this will come to fruition in a few weeks time. More recently Catriona and President, Brian Roake have been working hard together on commemorative projects. These include a revised version of the History of Gerrards Cross Club book written some years ago by late author and former Captain, Jim Gregson. They have also organized a historical timeline exhibition which will be mounted along the walls of the Chalfont Room.
Thanks to Carolyn Betts and Adam Grint for their help with the photos, the GXGC Facebook group also features contributions from other members, please check it out.
Ruth Strauss Foundation Website.