Captain's Day at any Golf Club is always a big event but at Essex's Orsett Golf Club the Lady Captain's Day is a uniquely themed event linked to her personality, background and interests.
Captain's Day at any Golf Club is always a big event in every club's golfing calendar but at Essex's Orsett Golf Club the Lady Captain's Day is a uniquely themed event exclusively linked to her personality, background and interests.
It's a closely guarded secret as to what the day will hold for her and she is banned from attending the club for the two days prior to the event. Planning starts a year in advance where the Vice Captain (Ali Battle) who is responsible for organising the day, starts to come up with ideas and plan the big day. For weeks in advance everyone at the club, apart from the guest of honour, are involved in the discussions and plans for bringing the themes to life!
1st Orsett Cub Scouts Camp Jamboree!
The theme for 2014 Lady Captain Margaret Oliver was the '1st Orsett Cub Scouts Camp Jaboree'. In honour of Margaret's time as Akela in the Scout movement and a theme she no doubt expected. However there were to be plenty of surprises throughout the day.
The first surprise was her arrival at the club on a motorbike, dressed in leather - to the music, 'Leader of Pack!' Margaret was a biker chic in previous years riding on the back of her husband Dave’s bike.
The Ladies dressed as Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, or Guides, and the Buggy she would use for the day, was transformed into the 'Camp Bus' fully loaded with all necessary camping equipment, tents, sleeping bags etc for taking the cub scouts to the 'Gilwell Park' camp, which was recreated on the 7th tee. Here male members, dressed as cub scouts carried out 'Bob a Job'cleaning clubs raising money for Margaret's charity.
Margaret is known for singing - especially Karaoke - so 'Oliver's Wine & Karaoke Bar'was created at the 12th Tee, complete with glitter ball, strobe lights, microphone stand and of course, the singing!
In true fashion the Wine Bar had two Doormen to ensure only those on the VIP list, or paying a donation to Margaret’s Charity, gained entry. As each team of players arrived they enjoyed a glass of Pimms and had a spot of Karaoke. The standard was so high that Margaret awarded a prize to the best performance. They were asked to repeat their rendition of ‘Runaway’ by Del Shannon during the evening’s festivities.
The day raised £500 for Margaret’s charity Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) a local charity which is very close to Margaret’s heart.
Despite the rain that fell on the day, the 18 hole non-qualifying stableford competition was enjoyed by everyone with some great scores coming in. The Overall Winner for the Day, Angie Paton scored a magnificent 41 points off her 8 handicap. The Silver Winner, Jane Dennis, close behind on 40 points.
It is safe to say that the plotting has already started for next year’s Lady Captain’s day at Orsett Golf Club!
