We hear from Ferndown Golf Club ladies section who are celebrating a big milestone in 2021/22

With a very proud heritage, the ladies section at Ferndown Golf Club has shared with us their plans for their centenary year.

The ladies of Ferndown Golf Club are this year, celebrating a milestone in their history. On 9th November 1921, they were accepted as members of the Ladies' Golf Union (LGU) and on 22nd November 1921, they held their first AGM. One hundred years later, we are celebrating this Centenary with a series of events.

Ferndown Golf Club
Ferndown Lady Captain Lesley Trevett

On 22nd November 2021, a 10-hole golf competition preceded our AGM, when the new Centenary Ladies’ Captain, Lesley Trevett, took office. The meeting commenced with the reading of the 1921 handwritten minutes from the original Minute Book.

Ferndown Golf Club
Ferndown Golf Club Ladies Centenary Cake

A letter from The R&A, congratulating the ladies’ section on their Centenary and wishing them every success in the future, was read by the Ladies’ Captain. On completion of the relevant business, a group photograph was taken before the ladies retired to the lounge for afternoon tea. This was accompanied by a glass of prosecco and a piece of the specially commissioned Centenary cake.

Ferndown Golf Club
Ferndown Golf Club memorabilia table

A memorabilia table had also been set up in the lounge to remind ladies of bygone years. Following the AGM, the photograph (at the top of the page) shows our ladies in red team jumpers along with past Ladies’ Captains in green blazers at the front. Our current Ladies’ Captain, Lesley Trevett, is in the centre.

Our first main event was the annual Christmas Fayre, currently in its 30th year. The first Fayre in 1991 raised £300. This year, we are looking to exceed £4000 and the money will be donated to the Ladies’ Captain’s chosen charity - High Mead Farm. This is a local farm, supporting people with disabilities or mental health issues. Over the past 30 years, the ladies have raised in excess of £65,000 for many local charities.

Plans for 2022 at Ferndown Golf Club

Our programme for the year has already included a coffee morning with a Centenary quiz. This tested the knowledge of our lady members on the history of the ladies’ section. In April, we shall be holding our Annual Ladies’ Lunch. Instead of the usual guest speaker, several lady members will speak about a period of time during the last 100 years.

After our Ladies’ Captain’s Day in June, we plan to invite County representatives and ladies from other Dorset golf clubs to join us for a round of golf, followed by a meal. In the Autumn, we intend to organise a mixed golf competition using hickory shafted clubs and our Centenary celebrations will finally end with dinner and a prize-giving event, during which a new Centenary trophy will be presented.

We're sure that the ladies at Ferndown Golf Club are set for a very exciting season ahead. Congratulations to them on their Centenary celebrations.

Is your golf club or county association celebrating a milestone anniversary this year? Do get in touch and let us know what you're planning. Email [email protected]