Strictly Come Golfing takes Dooks ladies into a new era

IN March of 2016, the ladies section at Dooks Golf Club boasted just 10 ladies under the age of sixty and, as active members were diminishing at an alarming rate, were struggling to field inter-club teams. This is according to Kay Woods, who in her Lady Captain’s year, decided to take on the task of beginning to rebuild a sustainable ladies club.

The CGI Ladies Get into Golf programme was a “life-saver” as it gave some structure and guidance to the process.

“We were in dire straits here in the club with no young members really to speak of,” explained Kay. “The young members we did have got involved, especially Caroline Breen our youngest playing member, and helped to spread the word through social media and their friends about the six-week programme we were going to run.”

The online activity enticed 62 to attend the first taster session and then the six-week programme of lessons and oncourse activities began.

“Without the Get into Golf programme I really don’t think we would have a ladies club now. The programme was great but we wanted to provide a follow-on to integrate the new members into the club after the six weeks.”

So, Strictly Come Golfing was born. An autumn to winter league were new members were partnered with existing members to practice and play as a foursomes pair. The culmination of the set was a shotgun start followed by music and entertainment where the ladies could really swap their golf shoes for dancing ones!

“We always wanted to make sure the new members were involved and integrated in the club,” Woods said. “Most have young families or are working but we always encouraged them to play some golf but make sure they had some time for a coffee or a drink with their playing partners!”

Two years on and Dooks ladies club has grown with 42 taking up some form of membership and the average age has decreased significantly, a bright future ahead for the club.