THE HISTORY
London Solicitors links
The Legal Ladies have always had strong links with the London Solicitors Golfing Society (LSGS) - this was highlighted when a Challenge Bowl was presented to the LLGA by the LSGS to show their support for the new Association. Ladies were not eligible to join the LSGS at that time as the profession was still closed to them.
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The inaugural match of the LLGA against the LSGS in 1913 took place at Hanger Hill, Ealing. The format was 10-a-side singles matchplay. The men gave an extra 10 shots to each lady. Sadly the ladies lost 7/3. This match still continues today and is keenly fought - and the handicaps are now much closer!
Mabel Stringer
The Legal Ladies, sometimes referred to as ‘The Legals’, are members of the Ladies Legal Golf Association, which was formed in 1912 by the legendary Mabel Stringer. Miss Stringer, who was also instrumental in the formation of many other ladies golf associations, initially considered golf “a stupid game, far inferior to cricket, pole-vaulting, catapult shooting and bird nesting”. However, she soon changed her opinion when she was made Lady Captain of the newly formed Littlestone Golf Club (1893). In those days, the Ladies Golf Club consisted of 9 holes, called ‘The Hen Run’.
Mabel Stringer pursued a career in journalism and was the first woman golf correspondent, contributing to the Gentlewoman (a popular publication of the day) and several other dailies and periodicals. Initially the activities of ladies golf was restricted to the social pages of the newspapers, but by the time she retired, women’s golf had become well established in the sports sections and on occasions front page news! She was greatly admired in the world of golf because she had championed the sport for women in a world which was largely dominated by men.
1913 subs: 5/-
Over the years, the Association has seen women's golf change substantially. In 1921 a couple of ladies from the United Services created quite a stir by playing their round in breeches after arriving at the course on their motorcycles!
The Field Day was started in 1922 as an event for raising money for charity. Six associations took part, Medicals, Legals, Parliamentarians, United Services, Veterans and the Stage. This event which has been played at The Berkshire Golf Club since 1960 has changed format a couple of times, but is now an 18 hole Stableford competition on either the Red or Blue course followed by a lunch and prize giving.
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The original criteria for membership of the LLGA were ladies who themselves are Judges, Barristers Solicitors, Bar Students and Articled Clerks, and those ladies who are directly related to them (mother, sister, daughter or granddaughter). The annual subscription in 1913 was five shillings!