Because I
depleted my bank of material and ideas when I posted my previous message, I
invited Club Reps, the Team Squad, and our Leadership Team, to share their
thoughts and news. I was delighted to receive so many responses that I have had
to be selective in what I am including today. Thanks to you all, with apologies
for not referencing everyone by name.
Whilst some of us are practising piano playing, others are honing our
golfing skills and knowledge. Practice nets have been constructed in gardens
and chipping nets put in place. Putting is prominent, outdoors on
lawn-converted putting greens (like Louise’s in the photo) or indoors on
carpets. Aberdeen Ladies’ putting competition has upturned tees as targets from
a socially distant 2 metres - tricky I’m told by Gill (Bruce) who was blaming
the carpet for poor performance not the small target! Sammy was in trouble when
she took to wedge practice with a foam ball in the lounge and broke the window
blind! Some of us are listening to golf podcasts and others are learning the 2020 Rule
Changes in Effect for Golfers Age 60+, provided via Carol (Whicher). Here
are a few of them:
Rule 9k.34 – If a tree is between the ball and the hole, and the tree is deemed to be younger than the player, then the ball can be moved without penalty. This is so because this is simply a question of timing; when the player was younger, the tree was not there so the player is being penalized because of his age.
Rule 1.a.5 – A ball sliced or hooked into the Rough shall be lifted and placed on the Fairway at a point equal to the distance it carried or rolled into the Rough with no penalty. The senior player should not be penalized for tall grass which ground keepers failed to mow.
Rule 2.d.6 – A ball hitting a tree shall be deemed NOT to have hit the tree. This is simply bad luck and luck has no place in a scientific game. The senior player must estimate the distance the ball would have travelled if it had not hit the tree and play the ball from there.
Of course, some ladies are still working, many at home. I think Carol
(Wilson) and Karen are enjoying their stress-free indoor commutes around the
house. Team squad school girls Carmen (Griffiths), Rachel (Mathieson), and
Robyn (Fowlie) and university student Annabel (Hosie) are all facing the test
of studying at home. Having decided to turn professional, Kimberley (Beveridge)
has had her debut hindered by the pandemic. With her police colleagues, Rachel
(Polson) takes personal risks to help keep us all safe. As a bus driver, Bev
(Pirie) takes personal risks to provide public transport for those reliant on
it. Many other members are taking personal risks in frontline health, care and
other key services for the benefit of each one of us. I find it humbling and
emotional, and thank each one of you, personally and on behalf of ALCGA, for
your expertise, compassion, devotion, and willingness.
Technology has to be thanked for providing so many ways of keeping in
touch through the likes of WhatsApp, Facebook (I’m still resisting pressure to
sign up!), Instagram, WhatsApp video, FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Houseparty. Julie
(Lees) tells me that Westhill Iadies have been Zooming in to chat and, like
others, enjoy quizzes. I hear that Newmachar ladies have been meeting on Zoom
too. I’m excited to be joining my first Zoom get-together this afternoon. I
still haven’t been to a Houseparty but I did go to a webinar the other week –
interesting.
This week, politicians have been starting to say a little more about the
way ahead out of lockdown. Perhaps this gives a glimmer of light at the end of
what is likely still to be a long tunnel. Although Scottish Golf has cancelled
all their 2020 competitions, I am trying to be cautiously optimistic that golf
courses will open in some way at some time during the summer months and that
some of our later season’s events might survive. For now, along with the Management Committee, I am continuing to monitor
advice. Please keep an eye on the website and Facebook for news.
I would love to read more of your stories or see your photos. Please
email me at Lorna200LMJ@btinternet.com or message me on 07717 133397. Yvonne (Moir), recently
appointed Kemnay Club Captain, tells me that she is sharing old photos with
members to inspire memories and encourage reminiscing. We could try that too.
One other thing before I go, thanks to Laura for sending us a ‘postcard’
from her week’s holiday in April. I’ve included it below – enjoy. In the meantime, please take care, stay happy and keep safe.
Lorna
Lorna M Johnson
Captain, ALCGA
Captain, ALCGA