At four o’clock in the morning of Monday 19 June 2023 the ‘Jaycees Sugarbetes’ arrived at Gorleston Golf Club to carry out their challenge of 72 holes of golf.
The plan was to take a few photographs before the first three ladies, Jules Harbord, Ladies’ Captain, Kinza Ellis and Marieta Holmes, who thought of the idea, teed off at 4.30 a.m. They would then be followed by Tonia Connor, Ladies’ Vice Captain, Amanda Hood and Marie Norman at 4.38 a.m.
It all went to plan beautifully with the help and support of Stu, Club Captain, Simon Hood, chief cook and Gary Connor responsible for batteries and trollies and Maggie Hart, the event organiser who had loaded up a buggy with snacks, drinks and medications.
The girls were playing stableford format for four rounds of 18 holes. They all teed off and the challenge began! Their games were amazing considering the deluge of rain during the night, leaving watery bunkers and pools of water on a few of the fairways. After teeing off the ninth all were fed bacon or sausage baps by Simon for their breakfast, which they ate as they carried on. The first 18 was completed earlier than expected with a clear course for the ladies to play with no delays.
The second game commenced at 8 a.m. with Jules, Marie and Amanda followed by Tonia, Kinza and Marieta. The ladies were soon back at the first tee with an impressive round and some good scores. They paused at the ninth for a cake or two from Simon, which they ate as they played on.
As they came in at the halfway stage Gary was busy swapping batteries and trollies, not a moment was wasted so, the third round was also brought forward and proved to be the most difficult. The course had become busy and the ladies were tiring a bit in the heat, but, they had burgers to look forward to on the ninth and copious amounts of water, juice, savouries and sweets from Maggie and Stu in the buggy.
All our members on the course were aware of the event and extremely supportive, allowing the two groups to play through. It was also a joy to see that neighbours had hung out a banner of support.
It was good to see Maxine, the James Paget University Hospital Charity Manager, who joined Maggie in the buggy during the event. A strong supporter of the ‘Jaycee Sugarbetes’ who has been with us from the start.
The final round which commenced at 3.40 p.m. was witnessed by the Lady Captains’ family who were delighted to be involved in the day, knowing that the contributions were going to the James Paget Hospital for paediatric diabetes. Jules had chosen this charity for her Captaincy year because her nephew Jake, had spent some time in the paediatric department and she wanted to show her gratitude for the wonderful work carried out by the staff involved.
Also husbands and partners caddied for the last round while Jules’s Mum became an assistant in the buggy, picking up the game of golf as we flew around!
It was a truly remarkable day and all of the Ladies played every hole to a brilliant standard. Well done to Jules and her friends for raising approximately £3400, the final figure will be released when known. Thanks to the office at Gorleston Golf Club, the professional team of Duncan and Oli, our wonderful club members, our friends who arrived to cheer on the final hole, to everyone who sponsored and that includes the boys ‘offshore on the Seafox 4 ’.
Special praise goes to all involved on the day, you may not have played golf but you certainly helped the ones that did.
There are no words to thank these six lovely friends that play golf and wanted to help Jules with her charity.
Simply ‘The Best’ Whoop, Whoop!
