Going back to the early 2000’s I was fortunate to be playing in the English Senior competitions which, back then, was run by a committee not affiliated to England Golf. The venues chosen for these were really good – Sunningdale, Rye, the Berkshire, Ganton to name a few. There was great camaraderie in the Association and many ladies played in the Portuguese, Spanish and French Senior events during the Winter months. It was during this time I became friendly with Viv Saunders OBE

At the same time, of course, the ‘Midland Vets’ was a smaller association, in fact I think I was invited to join in a rather clandestine manner when I was taken aside by the Warwickshire Rep and asked if I would like to become a member. Indeed, in a similar way I was selected to play in the Jamboree team and my goodness did I enjoy the experience! Later when I was Captain, I thought that it was a shame more golfers did not have the opportunity to play in the Jamboree. So, one evening at the French Seniors Viv offered us Abbotsley to try out the format of the ‘now’ Championships to involve players who would not get to play in the Jamboree team as only 7 or 8 members are able to do so each year.

It was very low key and held the first week of November so, obviously, not many Counties could enter as it became dark early. Viv was extremely hospitable and even had a party in her home one evening. However, the most important input she had was to introduce an element of ‘entertainment/games’ into the social side. We were split into Counties and given a variety of card, paper, tissue paper, string, Sellotape, scissors, staples and told to make one of the team into a character. I can still see now Ann Booth as a Dutch girl, Sheila Armstrong as a Chinese man and myself as Nelson. They were brilliant and so started the tradition.

So, after 7 years I passed the baton to Andrea Stockdale who was a truly enthusiastic supporter of the event (and in fact as we all know of everything she does). Little did I think she would still be the organiser, but the event has grown in stature year on year on her watch.

Incidentally, the Trophy was purloined by my son, when he was working in Malaysia at the World Cup, which was won by Nick Faldo and David Carter. They were not keen on taking it back to the UK, so it was residing in Ian’s small flat in London with no home!  It is rather unwieldy, and thanks should go to Angela Dawson who made, or had made, the splendid box to keep it in.  I had it re-engraved as the County Cup but was very touched when I heard it was to be known as the Sue Timberlake trophy.

Sue Timberlake