THE Ladies Section at Enmore Park has been an essential part of the golf club since it was first established and, before the Covid-19 lockdowns, as many as 70 female players were regularly involved in the Wednesday, weekend and mid-week club competitions, writes Richard Walsh.

The first known cup that the ladies played for was back in 1932, when the club moved to its present site, with the cup being donated by Rev Bush.

A second trophy, the Archer Cup, was presented in 1938, and both competitions are still very much part and parcel of competition programme at the golf club today.

The number of women playing at Enmore in the early days was fairly limited, but over the years there has been a marked increase.

In 1957 there were only 13 lady members, which over the course of the next 10 years had grown to 33.

By 1960 several more trophies were donated for competitions, and the first Ladies Open - which was held in 1963 - proved to be very successful, becoming a very popular annual fixture.

Female Enmore members topped 100 by 1973 and currently this has increased to around the 120 mark in all categories.

The Ladies Section is an integral part of the club, embraces change and is always looking at its working practices to ensure the Ladies Committee is fit for purpose to meet the ever-changing golf context.

There have been a number of reviews over the past 10 years, and each time new roles and responsibilities are created to support all the exciting activities planned for women’s golf.

What has been very successful is the sharing of roles such as competition secretary and now, in the latest review, communication and social events co-ordination.

The number of women who volunteer to run internal and external competitions and special events is impressive.

The Ladies Committee works to be part of the club’s vision and values for golf and social networks at the club.

The Ladies Committee supports the lady captain to achieve her plans for her year of office.

Enmore ladies have just said thanks to Alison Marchant for all her work during a challenging year in 2020, and now welcome Julie Blumgart as the 2021 lady captain.

She is already creating opportunities for women to join in her Virtual Coffee morning on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, to raise money for her charity SARSAS (Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support).