On Tuesday 25^th June 2019 Abridge Ladies held their incredible Ladies golfing day in aid of Prostate cancer at Abridge Golf and Country Club. Attended by one hundred ladies playing golf it was a fantastic success. The golfing ladies raised a bumper £24,000 and everyone who attended said it was a fabulous day.

The weather forecast was absolutely dreadful and the Abridge ladies were really worried as thunderstorms were predicted, but although the fear of a storm was announced, other than a deluge on the Monday evening the day miraculously remained dry. The sun shines on the righteous!

This year’s committee was headed by Alison Levy with the charity being close to her heart as she recently lost her father to Prostate cancer. The monies raised by the Abridge Ladies Section will fund specialised equipment to help early diagnosis and treatment of Prostate cancer.

Once again we had our legendary tombola with a prize every time for just £10.00. The Abridge Golfing Ladies work tirelessly to collect these prizes from local shops and businesses who generously donate to this worthy cause. This work takes the whole year to collect but is assembled and dressed beautifully by Austin Posner. The display looked both dazzling and inviting with some very happy golfers who won prizes ranging from golf bags to jewellery and perfumes as well as hair dos and massages.

Lexus of Woodford very kindly sponsored the chance to win a Lexus car if anyone scored a hole in one on the 9^th Hole. Unfortunately no one won the car but everyone who entered received a brightly coloured cool bag and if they landed on the green a sleeve of balls.

Our very own professional Reece Francis from Abridge Golf Club challenged all the ladies to ‘beat the pro’. If your shot onto the 17^th green was nearer than his you won a sleeve of balls. Thank you Reece for being such a great sport. He was not willing to confess just how many of the ladies beat him… but I don’t think it was that many.

The main competition of the day was a team game with the best two Stableford scores out of the team of four counting. The Abridge golf course looked magnificent and the ladies all agreed the course was beautiful but a fair challenge.  There were prizes for nearest the pins on all the par 3’s and a prize for nearest the line on the 8^th hole, as well team prizes for the first four teams , plus best back and front.

Once again we had an amazing half way house with beautiful fresh fruit donated by Gregory and Jake Hart and scrumptious homemade cakes and biscuits kindly baked by the Abridge Golfing ladies. Together with tea coffee and cold drinks it was difficult to get golfing again!

Once the golf was completed the ladies changed into their finery, and after a welcome to Abridge speech from the lady captain Deborah Jacobs, each chose their food from a magnificent buffet. Thanks to Denise and the wonderful Abridge staff for catering the delicious lunch. There was a great buzzy atmosphere and the dining room and prize table looked beautiful with its turquoise colour scheme.

After lunch the raffle was drawn. The generosity of our sponsors has been overwhelming and we had some incredible jewellery and prizes worth over £1000 each, donated by Smooch rings, Melvyn Jacobs, The Mayfair Hotel, Stuart Disdale ,Gina Kneifel, Melanie Shlosberg and Mark Koslover.The winner of this fantastic raffle was Mr Hibbert. Golf for four at Fox Hills was won by Gillian Collins.

The overall winners of the day win the Lesley Allsuch Trophy. This cup was presented by Lesley’s family in memory of our dear past captain who had the foresight and inspiration to start this annual charity event some 26 years ago. In that time we have raised close to one million pounds for local and national charities!

The cup was won by Karen Rosenbloom, Karen Posner, Margaret Schwitzer and Elaine Wilson. They also won beautiful glass and silver dishes loaded with chocolate and yogurt covered fruit and nuts. Karen Rosenbloom made a touching thank you speech in which she acknowledged that she was pleased the cup was won by Abridge ladies and that Leslie Allsuch had been a great inspiration to her with help in her golf.

The cheque was presented and the glorious day ended with some very happy ladies who had enjoyed a marvellous day at Abridge golf and country club.

Many thanks to the board and directors of Abridge Golf and Country club who allowed the Abridge Ladies the courtesy of the course for this prestigious day.

Deborah Jacobs (Lady Captain)