Legal Eagle 2024 Final

The final for the 2024 Legal Eagle knockout competition took place on a warm and sunny March 6th 2025 on the neutral ground of Royal Ashdown Forest. Our thanks to member Vicki Soutar for arranging this with the Secretary there.

This year the finalists were last year's runner-up, Ingrid Long, and Diana Reese. The match was played in great spirit despite the somewhat soggy conditions requiring the players to use mats on the fairway.

Ingrid scarcely put a foot wrong and her extra length gave her the edge over Diana. It was a very enjoyable match to watch, going to the 14th hole but in the end Ingrid won 6&4.

Congratulations to Ingrid on winning this year, the trophy will be presented at the Spring Meeting next month.

The players and Gillie were joined by Vicki Soutar for a light lunch and a celebratory drink in the Clubhouse after the match.

Ingrid Long and Diana Reese at Royal Ashdown Forest GC

Autumn Meeting and AGM

This year's Autumn Meeting was held on Wednesday, 2nd October at Hindhead Golf Club. Due to heavy rain overnight and in the days leading up to the event, all matches began from the 10th tee on the higher holes of the course. This was in the expectation that the lower front nine would have dried out by the time players reached the 1st tee.

Given the weather conditions, the course was in good shape, and the reception at Hindhead was extremely welcoming. Throughout most of the round, the weather remained fair, with just a few passing showers. However, as the majority of players approached the end of their rounds, the lowering clouds disgorged biblical rain, rendering the greens unplayable. Consequently, the competition was declared non-qualifying, and it was assumed that those still on the course had two-putted on the unplayable greens.

The golf was followed by a magnificent tea, prizegiving and the AGM. The Scratch prize was won by Di Kyle with 18 points. First handicap was won by Nicola Johnson with 34 points, second handicap was Sarah Brownlee with 30 points and third handicap was Melanie Wilson with 29 points. Nicola Johnson also won the Founders Trophy for the best aggregate net scores from the Spring and Autumn meetings combined with 76 points total.

Di Kyle receiving the Scratch Salver from Captain Sarah Brownlee

After the presentation of prizes the Annual General meeting was convened. Following the Captain's report Claire Gearing was voted in as the new captain and Vicky Soutar and Ann Cockcroft joined the committee upon the resignations of Kate Pinto and Ellie Evans. The rules of the Association were also updated.

Our thanks to Deborah Wilson who organised the day with great efficiency and to Hindhead for making us so welcome and providing such a delicious tea.

Nicola Johnson receiving the Founders Trophy

Legals return to RCPGC and Rye

On 3rd September the Legal Ladies were once again invited to play a match against the ladies of Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club. The team led by Debbie Richards consisted of Sara Reston, Di Kyle, Hilary Wynter, Vicky Soutar and Claire Gearing. The weather was fair but windy - although the home team assured us it was a mere breeze compared to the weather they had had over the weekend - and the course at Deal was in lovely condition. This year the Legals managed to edge ahead until the final match came in with a win for the home side bringing the overall result to a friendly half.

Christine Wightman organised the RCPGC team and invited everyone to her house for a delicious meal in the evening. This was a lovely sociable and enjoyable occasion. The Legals were then kindly hosted for the night by Christine, Pippa Lark and the RCPGC ladies captain before heading off to Rye the following morning.

The team was welcomed at Rye GC with a very good sandwich lunch. Sara Reston organised the home side for this match, with Diana Reese taking her place on the Legals' team. The team were again lucky with the weather - despite ominous black clouds scudding across the sky the worst anyone suffered was a short, sharp (albeit very heavy) downpour.

After the match the teams enjoyed a delicious tea with the famous Rye cheese scones and cake. Once again the Legals managed to edge ahead in the match but this time the final match brought the overall result to a 4-2 victory for the Legals. The team were delighted to be unbeaten on the tour this year. Everyone very much enjoyed both the courses.

Thanks to Debbie, Sara and Christine for their wonderful organistation of the event and to RCPGC and Rye GC for making us welcome once again. Particular thanks to the ladies of Deal who hosted the team in their homes. Another most enjoyable match in great company.