Ladies at Stamford
History
Right from its inception the club have encouraged ladies to join, however, the hilly nature of the course historically has had its effect on the female membership. By 1904 there were only seven lady members but a recruitment drive during the following twelve months produced a significant increase to nineteen and the first ladies sub-committee was formed.
The first ladies monthly medal took place at the start of the 1905 season over nine holes, soon becoming eighteen holes when the course was extended up the hill on the opposite side of Huddersfield Rd. However, due to the arduous nature of the extension, the ladies were allowed to play round the Old Course twice.
Consequently the ladies membership rapidly increased to forty five in 1907 by which time they were playing matches against other clubs and mixed foursomes were being played regularly.Fund Raising by the Ladies
The contribution to the finances of the club by the ladies has been significant over the years. In April 1913 the ladies held a very successful whist drive and dance at Stalybridge Town Hall, attended by about 170 members and friends it raised about £40, a significant contribution to club funds at the time.
This was the start of what has become a tradition of fund raising by the ladies; their Christmas Fair at the end of each season is one of the largest and most successful events held at the club to this day. The ladies have also contributed from their own funds from time to time, e.g. paying for the installation of their own shower/changing area in the mid 1980s, new lockers in the mid 1990s, and more recently presented the club with a weather vane to commemorate the club's Centenary Year of 2001.
Keep Fit Play Golf
At the ladies suggestion a fountain was installed in the patio garden to celebrate the 100th birthday of Miss Jessie Castle, a former Lady Captain, Lady President and Life Member. She was delighted with the fountain when she came to see it in place and her lively interest in the 'doings' of the club continued until she died in 2006 a few weeks before her 102nd birthday. Having joined as a young woman in 1923, she had seen many, many changes over the years to both the club and the course, her membership having lasted for over 80 years, quite a remarkable achievement, and one that should be remembered in the next publication of the clubs history. Miss Castle and two friends, Miss Jane Schofield and Mrs Phyllis Woolfenden, could still be seen still playing a few holes when they were all in their 80s. Miss Schofield had joined the club in 1929 and achieved her last hole-in-one when she was 76! At 98 she is currently the club's oldest surviving Life Member.
Mrs Vivian Heap has become a Life Member this year and this is a well-deserved and popular move. Since joining the club in 1953, Vivian has served time on the ladies committee in most, if not all, the official roles and currently helps the ladies Handicap Secretary with the competition cards and is a willing helper at any of the ladies social events and still plays golf regularly throughout the year.
The longevity of our lady members is legendary as testified by the those above, reason enough to join a group of lively, fit and interesting ladies pursuing the game they love.
Competitive Golf
Though we currently have just 30 lady members the ladies are not short on enthusiasm for the game of golf. In 1987 the ladies committee instigated the formation of the Ladies Tameside League changing what had been informal matches played between two or three local clubs into a more competitive format, the matches are played in the evenings, giving business ladies and ladies with higher handicaps a chance to experience playing under match play rules. The first matches were held in 1988 and a shield was purchased which continues to be presented each year to the winning club. Despite one or two set backs the league continues to flourish and currently constitutes Denton, Dukinfield, Fairfield, Stamford and Werneth Low Golf Clubs.
Since the clubs centenary year of 2001 our ladies Open is held during the club's Festival Week in June. This year on Monday 11 June; the format has been changed to a team of four, (previously three), best two stableford scores to count.
Our Mixed Open continues as a greensome and will be held on Sunday 2 September. Applications welcome!
All are Welcome
If you have never played Stamford why not give it a try. It is quite a challenging moorland course with no two holes the same. If it is a while since you played the course then you will discover many changes and improvements. Visitors have frequently remarked that it is not only one of the best courses in the area but is also the friendliest club. We do our best to keep such a good reputation intact.
Visitors and new members are indeed made very welcome and ladies who are new to golf are encouraged to join in; willing volunteers can always be found to go round doing cards for handicaps. Together with the club's new pro we are seeking ways to attract new lady members and particularly girl juniors. Establishing a thriving girls section is our aim as we consider this to be essential for the future progression of the ladies section and the club as a whole.
Listen to a clip of The Beat Divas singing "Girls just Gotta Swing", click on the image to the left for a bit of light relief.
Diary
Tameside & District Ladies Golf League
| Day | Date | Event | Opponents | Venue | Tee Time |
| Monday | April 23rd | League | Fairfield | Away | 1630-17.30 |
| Monday | April 30th | League | Dukinfield | Home | 1700-17.45 |
| Monday | May 14th | League | Denton | Home | 1700-17.45 |
| Monday | June 11th | Ladies | Open | Stamford | All Day |
| Thursday | June 7th | League | Werneth Low | Away | 1700-17.45 |
| Friday | July 6th | League | Fairfield | Home | 1700-17.45 |
| Friday | July 20th | League | Dukinfield | Away | 1700-17.45 |
| Monday | July 30th | League | Denton | Away | 1700-17.45 |
| Friday | August 17th | League | Werneth Low | Home | 1630-17.30 |
| Sunday | Sept. 2nd | Mixed | Open | Stamford | All Day |
Join The Ladies Section.
If you write to the ladies section care of Stamford Golf Club or telephone 01457 832126 and leave a meessage someone will contact you as soon as possible.
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