Hi,

What a brilliant Christmas End-of-Year event. Sunshine (we just missed the rain!), sparkle, treats galore and a full clubhouse buzzing with good energy. A perfect way to wrap up our season together.

A massive festive thank you to our helpful elves. Your work made the day feel extra special and run smoothly.

• Helen Webber for her exquisite meringues that topped off our hampers so beautifully

• Viki Grainger and Jacquee Pedrick for the delicious sweet treats

• Gen Recorden and Jacquee for rolling up their sleeves for hamper assembly

• Brenda Guille, Laurie Gandras, Viki G and Jacquee for setting up the room bright and early so everything looked perfect when the first groups walked in.

You are the backbone of these events, and we appreciate you.

And lastly, a big thank you to Sheridan for the seamless organisation, smart food choices and the excellent quiz (move over Bradley Walsh!) that kept everyone laughing and thinking. If you missed it, then enter next event…but I have been nice and popped it in here too as it’s so good. Who would have known the first Christmas tree was made of dyed green feathers?!
 

Christmas Quiz

1.      Which Hollywood actor played six different roles in The Polar Express?

            Harrison Ford or Tom Hanks?

2.      What is the name of Santa’s reindeer that is known for guiding his          

      sleigh through foggy weather?

                          Blitzen or Rudolph?

3.      The first artificial Christmas tree was made from what?

             Dyed green goose feathers or PVC (poly vinyl chloride)

4.      What famous Christmas carol became the first song to ever broadcast from space?

Jingle bells or Snoopy’s Christmas 

5.      Which Christmas ballet premiered in 1892?

                  “The Nutcracker ” or Swan Lake?

6.      What was the first company that used Santa Claus in advertising?
Coca-Cola or Pepsi?

7.      Further to that - what colour was Santa’s suit before he was rebranded red & white by Coca Cola?

Green or Blue?

8.      What were candy canes originally designed to resemble? 

A walking stick or A shepherd’s staff

9.       If I were to be in the Christmas Islands, which ocean would I be in?

         The Pacific or the Indian?

10. What ornaments do elves traditionally have on their shoes?

             Bells or pompoms?

 11. What star sign would you be if you were born on Christmas Day?

                              Sagittarius or Capricorn?

12.The popular Christmas decoration tinsel was originally made from copper or silver?

13. In the Harry Potter series, in the wizarding world, what do they call Christmas crackers?

                          Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans or Wizarding Crackers

14. In which war was a “Christmas Truce” officially enacted?

        World War I or World War 2?

15. In total, how many gifts by were given your true love in the twelve days of Christmas song?

        144 or 364?

Tournament Results

Congratulations to our winners of the day. Your credit will be added to your account this week. 

1st Place – 54 Stableford

Prue Gard

Louise Laycock

Maggie Barry

Alison Bird

2nd Equal – 51 Stableford

Team 1:

Kirsty McDonald

Lee Riddington

Janet Bingham

Team 2:

Gen Recorden

Kirsten Newton

Helen Harman

Lois Fairbairn

On-Course Prizes

Christine Hansen, Helen Harman, Lee Riddington and Jane Macaulay

Pimp-My-Trundler

What a turnout. So many sparkly, tinselled, creative, hilarious and "how did they even build that" trundlers on the course. You all went all-in and it made the day even more festive. I was surprised at how road-tested they were, and I was the only one to lose a decoration! 

2025 Trophy Winners

Congratulations to all our winners. Playing consistently is key to these competitions, which are held throughout the year on Tuesday mornings. Remember, if you are playing on Tuesday morning, you are obliged to enter the competitions. It doesn't mean your play or mindset changes, though, so don't freak out!

Joyce Collins Trophy

Stableford, best accumulated 3 of 5 rounds

Joint winners: Juliette Doddrell and Annabelle Claridge, 56 Stableford

Judith Partington Trophy and 9-Hole Ladies Club Champion

Club Champion stroke play accumulated to 3 rounds

Winner: Helen Holtes, 160 gross

Runner-up: Colleen Bergin

Sue Bunt Salver

Net score 3 rounds accumulated

Winner: Juliette Doddrell, 105 net

Runners-up: Liz Holt and Maureen Proux

Ann Old Putting Trophy

Lowest 3 of 5 putting scores

Winner: Judy Parsons, 42 putts

Joint runners-up: Annabelle Claridge and Joan Parish
 

Carol Turner Trophy

Best accumulated gross 3 of 5 rounds – played from Leander Tees

Winner: Helen Holtes, 145 gross

Runner-up: Hilary Sheldon
 

Margaret Robinson Reduction in Handicap Trophy

Pro Shop names the winner

Winner: Lola Anderson, reduced from 44.4 to 38.5

Gobbler Competition

Winner: Helen Webber (New World voucher now - not a turkey!)

If you know the history of where these trophies originally came from, who donated them, or any special stories attached, please email me so we can keep this knowledge alive.

We are playing the Lyn McLachlan Plate currently and will be awarded at our Opening Day event. This is Stableford's best 3 of 5 rounds accumulated. 

Rules – coming your way

Many of you have asked for more confidence around rulings and on-course decisions. I am looking at organising a rules refresher session with North Shore Golf, so keep your ears open for more details soon.

I am also creating a double-sided rules cheat sheet for your golf bags. It will be simple, clear, and practical. The Christmas gift you didn't know you needed! 

I'll re-send the full PDF from the rules session I attended in the middle of the year in next week's email, as some requested it at lunch.
 

See you all out there next week.

Penny and Sheridan
 

P.S. We will have the 2026 event dates available to you before the year ends, too, so you can pop them in your new diaries! 

9 Hole Ladies Golf Committee

Convenors:

Penny Elliott - 021 969 982

Sheridan Alexander - 021 134 4048

Treasurer:

Jacquee Pedrick - 021 032 4454

New Members Contact:

Laurie Gandras - 021 046 3374