Bedfordshire finish 4th in CMD

My 5th year of captaincy and we have hosted County Match Days in Bedfordshire from 29th June to 2nd July. We
arrived at the club early on Sunday morning to find our newly recruited county secretary Suky Sehmbi setting up his
desk in the foyer and John O’Gaunt (JOG) catering manager Paula dressing the tables in county colours in the
Burgoyne Suite. The start of County Match Days is always an exciting time, but when you are hosting there are some
extra goosebumps. Captain Claire attended the meeting for the volunteers from JOG, also being joined by the lovely
Linda Green from Cainhoe Wood. Gordon, the JOG general manager, led this meeting and explained to all present
what was required for the week. Many thanks to all these men and women for their infectious enthusiasm during the
week. Once the players had arrived, we set about ensuring that everyone had enough kit for the week and then let
them know what was required from them in practice. Bedfordshire led the field in practice, teeing off at 11.30 with
Luca and Maria taking each other on in singles matchplay. Emma and Caitlin followed on their own course and a
fourball brought up the rear with Sue and Ghie taking on Amanda and Ixie. The objective was to get everyone into
matchplay mode and it appeared to also gel some team dynamics.

During the day, Paula Robinson and Shirley Darrah had arrived to support Captain Claire and help with all of those
jobs required; ensuring that the buggy was decorated, stocktaking the kit, driving the buggy, allocating the snacks
and helping plan the caddies. Rachel Rushton from JOG also kindly loaned a cool box which was going to be needed
with the temperatures forecast into the 30s. Jo Harrison was also a big part of the support team and was out on the
course helping Sue in her preparation.
After the practice, Claire had arranged for the team to gather in the performance studio behind the professional
shop where the air conditioning provided a nice cooling atmosphere compared to the high 20s temperatures of late
June. Previous county champion and ex LET professional player Holly Reddick had kindly agreed to speak to the team
and share some of her experience of team matchplay and dealing with the pressure of this situation. Nutrition and
breathing were going to be really important and we presented the team with a goodie bag including scorecard
holder, balls, nutrition bar, county cap and a drawstring bag for those on their first 1st team outing. Holly answered
some questions and Sue Caley gave an insight into the art of being “in the moment” – it was a positive team meeting.
The team then travelled up the A1 to Wyboston Lakes where they would be staying for the next 3 nights, leaving
Claire to chair the Captains’ meeting and then assist Vice-President Dave McGarry in hosting a reception for our
visiting County Presidents and guests.
After an enjoyable meal at a local pub, Claire, Luca and Sue had a useful chat to confirm the approach for the week
and then Claire confirmed the team to face Suffolk on the first morning. We would be led by Luca, Chanel and Ixie in
singles with Chanel fresh from a runners-up place in the Woburn Women’s Championships. The foursomes pairs
would be Maria and Sue followed by Ali and Emma on their home course.
Monday morning and we arrived at the club for breakfast and sang a hearty rendition of Happy Birthday to Luca, the
birthday girl, whose parents were arriving later to caddy for her. Caddies were also available for all who required
them, with Margaret caddying for Ixie and Dave McGarry for Chanel in the singles. Emma and Ali were joined by
father and husband respectively and Jo joined Sue, with Helen assisting Maria with her experienced caddy hat on! It
was a full house and Paula joined Claire on the buggy with fluids and snacks for the players on a hot sultry day. At
this stage I would like to say a big thankyou to all those who supported and helped the team in all ways, and just
having all that yellow on the sidelines, especially at the back of the 9th green, was a great addition to the team.
Starting on the 10th hole today, the team had to adjust its course management with a tricky par 3 to start on.
Some worry on the first tee, as Sue Thompson arrived to caddy shortly after Luca had teed off, but Luca got off to a
hot start, with her experience at the elite level of amateur golf paying dividends in the top match, winning
comfortably 5&3. Meanwhile, Ixie was having a good tustle with Alice Barlow, the Suffolk champion in a matchup of
the two respective county champions. Alice brings a huge amount of experience to the county matches, but our own
Ixie is now building her own strong resume, and she closed it out with two holes to spare. Meanwhile Chanel was
having an epic battle with Josie Knights, repeating an encounter from the previous year when Chanel had won
against the then 14 year old. Josie had definitely built experience during that 12 months and with her father on the
bag looked much more comfortable at this level. Although Chanel led earlier on the front nine, the Suffolk player
eased her way back into the game and although our Chanel showed much fighting spirit, she finally succumbed on
the last green. So it was down to the foursomes where Ali and Emma were up against some real experience with

Molly and Jo. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be their day but a really good effort in their first 1st team match. So at 2-2 it
was Maria and Sue who were left fighting for the deciding point. It was a real team effort M & S being supported ably
by Jo & Helen and Claire was there on the 17th green to congratulate them as they closed out the match to win

Bedfordshire’s first encounter against Suffolk.
The afternoon match was also off the 10th tee against Essex, winners from 2023. It would be a stern test of the team
and the top 3 singles were sent out again with Maria and Sue following in foursomes. Amanda Ellis was sent out with
Emma Green to form a local pairing and to give the 14 year old youngster her introduction to 1st team golf. However
she was not the youngest in the match as 12 year old Maybel Brooks would be playing with Katy Yates for Essex
against M & S. Our 3 players in singles all got off to solid starts against tough opponents with Ixie playing a current
Irish girls squad member and competing very well. Luca closed her match out on 17 against another plus handicap
player, and not long afterwards, Ixie completed a well-deserved victory against her opponent on 16. Could we get
another half point for a draw? Unfortunately despite being ahead for much of the match, Chanel was beaten on the
18th green, so it came down to the foursomes. Emma and Amanda formed a good bond in their match, but were
beaten by the stronger pair on the day. So we looked back to find Maria and Sue who were fighting hard to keep our
hopes alive. Despite their best efforts they lost on 16, and we all look forward to seeing young Maybel doing even
greater things in the next 10 years.
After tea, we presented Luca with a fabulous birthday cake and sang happy birthday for the second time. So Day 1
complete and it was one Win and one Loss. After getting the team together, Claire announced the team for the
morning vs Herts, which would ensure that all 10 would have a game by Tuesday lunchtime. Maria would get a
chance at singles, which would give us an opportunity to let Chanel and Caitlin loose as a foursomes pairing; with
Caitlin on her home course, anything was possible. Sue and Ghie would complete the line-up in a pairing which had
performed well together at Felixstowe Ferrry.
An early start in the morning, brought us to the club at 7am for breakfast and then practice. Luca was suffering a
little from the heat of the previous day, but determined to go out and Dave McGarry was there to support her as
caddie. Ixie led the team against Hertfordshire, as county champion and she was ahead against her opponent for
most of the match. Proud brother Ethan was there to watch her along with her parents, Julie and Andrew. However,
she ended up halving her match on 18 with her opponent finishing very strongly. Luca had drawn another strong
opponent at no 2, but prevailed on 16th green where a tricky pin position brought her opponents challenge to an
end. Maria at no 3 was playing a tough competitor and had Helen on her bag again to provide support as required.
The temperature was souring towards 30 degrees which made the conditions extremely challenging. Maria finally
lost a close match on 17th green and she must be congratulated on hanging in there tough in her first 1st team singles
match. In the first foursomes match, Ali had gone out with her yellow flag to provide ball spotting support for our
two long hitters Chanel and Caitlin. The pair were down early on but wrestled their way back into a close game and
looked to be favourites as they came down the last holes. Caitlin was finding the fairway off the tee and all the signs
were good – however they just came up short, losing the match on 17. Sue and Ghie, meanwhile were working hard
to maintain parity and were succeeding for much of the round. However their opponents included Jackie Foster, a
previous winner of the R&A Senior Women's Amateur Championships and English Seniors Championships, a player
who Sue was very familiar with from Seniors Home International matches. Unfortunately for us she brought her
experience to bear, and S & G lost on 17 – that was 3 matches that lost on 17, so very tight!
There was plenty of time over lunch for Claire and Luca to give some thought to the selection for the afternoon
match vs Norfolk. Suffolk had managed a half against them the previous afternoon, so with Essex having won all their
matches, they would be looking for a big win. Luca was keen to go out at 1 in the hope that she would be pitted
against Nellie Ong, a GB&I Vagliano Trophy winner from the previous week. Zac Thompson arrived to caddy for his
daughter and sure enough, they got their wish. Luca played well, but 3 under par was not enough to beat a
rampaging Nellie who closed out the match at 8 under par on 14! It gave Luca an insight into the top of the women’s
game and where she needs to be for QSchool in November. Meanwhile, Chanel was in another tight match against
Tiff Mills, one of the most experienced of the Norfolk team. Dave McGarry was caddying for her and helped to keep a
positive mindset to guard against any setbacks. Chanel was determined to keep ahead in this game and as she
negotiated her way down the 17th hole, her pitch to 6 feet opened the possibility of closing the match out which she
duly did with a birdie. What a well deserved win for the South Beds player. With one point in the bag, Ixie was
beaten by an experienced player at no 3 so we were looking back to the foursomes for much needed results. Maria
and Sue were again pitted against an experienced member of the England Seniors team in the form of Tracey

Williamson and her partner. Sadly they came up short and were beaten on 15th green after sharing many pars and
some birdies in an enthralling encounter. Meanwhile Ali and Emma were fighting for all they were worth in the
remaining match, being 3 down with 3 to play, they won 16 and 17 to set up a nailbiting finish down the last. Claire
called ahead to get some yellow on the balcony, but sadly it wasn’t to be and they finally succumbed on the last
green. Well fought girls!
So a 1-4 loss to Norfolk, but the players all fought to the end and were a great credit to themselves and the county.
The team sat down to the evening meal in good spirits and were looking forward to the last morning where we
would take on Cambs & Hunts who were still looking for their first win. They allowed themselves a small glass of
wine at the tasting that Paula, the catering manager, had arranged for the teams and reflected on what might have
been, whilst being determined to finish in a positive manner.
At 6:10am the following morning we were all awoken with a shock as the Wyboston Lakes fire alarm went off and
disrupted the last 30 minutes of sleep. Breakfast was to be taken at John O’Gaunt club again, but a little later than
previous mornings. Start was delayed by 15 minutes due to our early awakening and the whole team was ready and
on duty to play or caddy. Luca was to lead the team in what may be her last game, followed by Ixie then Amanda in
singles – these three had Dave McGarry, Margaret Seabrook and Emma Green on their bags to support. Caitlin and
Chanel joined forces in foursomes match 1, with Ali as ball spotter, then Maria and Sue were ably supported by Jo
and Ghie in the tail end foursomes. We were determined to go out on a high and everyone had a role to play. Luca
played very steady golf at No 1 and closed out her match on 14th green against their playing captain, Laura. Ixie at No
2 showed how far her game has come by beating a wise and canny Marcella Tuttle, another senior player with
significant experience. She was ahead for much of the round before her opponent threatened to come back, but Ixie
closed it out with a steady par on 17 to cap a really successful week by getting 3.5 points out of her 5 matches.
Meanwhile, Emma was supporting Amanda who had drawn Miranda Brain, one of the talented sisters who play for
Cambs & Hunts. She wasn’t phased but was beaten by a stronger player, and will no doubt learn a huge amount from
this experience that she can take to the girls County matches in August. So 2-1 up after the singles, but still needing
another point for the W, Luca and Claire navigated our way up the 15th fairway to support Maria and Sue who were
up in their match. To great excitement, we witnessed a shake of the hands and realised that we had got the
necessary point – M & S had their second victory of the week, and much deserved. Meanwhile Chanel and Caitlin
were having an up and down game with Chanel playing out of her skin to support her friend and playing partner.
Coming down 16, all square, Chanel nearly holed out for an ace to put the pair 1 up and they then halved the 17th to
have the honour and be 1 up on 18. Her parents, Michelle and Peter, were watching from a suitable distance. Surely
Chanel wouldn’t have another victory grabbed from her on 18? She drove down the last, past the large tree on the
right to leave Caitlin about 85 yards to the pin. We were all watching, the spectators held their breath, Cait’s Dad,
Martyn, crossed his fingers and Cait swung her club.... The ball flew towards the pin and bounced about three feet
away to stop at gimme length. What a finish from Caitlin, match conceded and a well deserved point for the two of
them, who hugged each other on the last green. A 4-1 victory against Cambs & Hunts was a just reward for the
strong team atmosphere that had prevailed all week. As Captain, I must say that all the squad members must take a
huge amount of credit for supporting each other and playing for the team this week. As they say, there is no “i” in
team and Bedfordshire was the epitome of “team” at John O’Gaunt this year. A well deserved 4th place ahead of
Hertfordshire by 0.5 points showing that every half point counts!
Luca was awarded with well deserved colours and a Claire’s Bear for her 4 points and leading the team so well. She
also got to take the lovely yellow flowers from our table back home to her family.

A few thankyous to many who made this such a great experience:
Margaret Seabrook and Jo Harrison who supported the team at the hotel and over the few days dealt with issues as
they arose to make the experience as positive as possible for the team and for me.
Paula Robinson who acted as my “PA” for the week, doing any jobs that were required to support the team from
decorating the buggy to stocktaking the clothing. Also to Shirley who supported Paula where possible, and to both of
them a big thankyou for driving the buggy and issuing snacks and water to the players.
Holly Reddick for giving a pep talk to the team on the Sunday afternoon and sharing some tips on managing nerves
and fueling the body.

Lesley May who was Bedfordshire hostess and a class act supporting myself and the team. Also the ladies who acted
as hostesses for the other teams, including Marie, Jean and all those who were runners/back-up. Also Jackie your
lady captain, who was absolutely brilliant when asked to do some jobs that came up during the three days. A big
thankyou also to Rachel who loaned us her coolbox for the duration, without which we may have struggled, and to
Christine Ellis who kindly took the freezer packs home overnight. All the other ladies and men from the club who
acted as volunteers both on the course and in the clubhouse, including those from Cainhoe Wood and other clubs.
Dave McGarry and Helen Taylor especially for acting as caddies and for being sounding boards for me during the
week for all matters where a second opinion was needed!
Suky, our County Secretary, who took on the job, not quite knowing what was in store. Also a big thankyou to Doug,
my husband, for being his assistant and general dogsbody when required.
Gordon MacLeod, Paula, Marcus, the two Nigels, Caitlin and the rest of the team at John O’Gaunt. You were all
brilliant.
Tom Simm and his team of Rees, Nick and Richard for all their coaching and input on course management in the
period leading up to the event.
Joan Cocksedge and her husband, John, and also Ross, Bill and Mike who gave so much of their time to act as
referees.
All those spectators who came to support us and to watch the fantastic level of golf being played
To all those family members who acted as caddies and supported their players
To Kim, who is no longer with us, but was on my shoulder in spirit throughout the matches.
And last but by no means least, the players:
Luca (my playing captain)- Pavenham Park GC
Ixie, Caitlin, Emma, Ali, & Amanda – John O’Gaunt GC
Chanel & Maria – South Beds GC
Sue – Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands GC
You were all absolutely fantastic and worked so hard for each other. It was lovely to see you getting to know each
other so well and enjoy each other’s company as the week progressed, and the last morning’s full team effort in
achieving the win against Cambs & Hunts will live long in my memory. THANKYOU ALL and I loved my bottle of fizz
and blue & yellow flowers and will treasure the card that you signed for me.
Claire Cummings
Women’s Team Officer (Captain)

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