The Ladies’ London Foursomes is a prestigious scratch event held in March and over the years some very well known names in ladies’ golf have won the trophy for their club. Any club within a 45 mile radius of Charing Cross Station was eligible to play. Since the setting up of the new committee, the radius has been increased to 55 miles (from 2013).
The first Foursomes was held in 1922 at Chislehurst Golf Club and won by West Hill Golf Club. Unfortunately, no written information can be found as to who started the competition, but looking at the clubs who won over the first few years, they had some very good golfers. The names of Joyce Wethered of Worplesdon and Molly Gourley of Camberley Heath could have been instrumental in the setting up of the event. The second World War caused the Ladies’ London Foursomes to be suspended for nine years – 1940 to 1949. Since then only twice has play been abandoned, in 1968 and in 2013, both due to snow.
Eventually it came under the umbrella of the English Ladies’ Golf Association (ELGA) and was run by the South East Division of ELGA. The South East consisted of ten counties and each county took it in turn to host the event. In 2006 ELGA changed the structure of the association, becoming the English Women’s Golf Association (EWGA), the four divisions became six regions and the ten counties were dispersed into different regions.
In 2009 The Berkshire Golf Club was approached and asked to consider hosting the event. The Secretary, Col. John Hunt was more than accommodating and offered both courses for the first day of match play. We were then able to increase the entries to sixty four from fifty four. We were also offered that golden opportunity of having the Friday for the first day, so that we could have a Sunday final. This, we hoped would enable more business ladies, and even young mums, to take part.
A committee was set up to run the event, and it is hoped that the venue will remain at The Berkshire Golf Club for the foreseeable future.
Rosemary Wallis
Past Secretary of the South East Region
Chairman, Ladies’ London Foursomes Organising Committee
PAST WINNERS
| YEAR |
VENUE |
CLUB |
PLAYERS |
RUNNER-UP |
|
| 1922 |
Chislehurst |
WEST HILL |
Miss V M Crombie |
Oxhey |
|
Mrs K Collis-Browne |
|
| 1923 |
|
WORPLESDON |
Miss J Wethered |
West Hill |
|
Miss P Read |
|
| 1924 |
|
NORTH HANTS |
Miss D R Fowler |
Worplesdon |
|
Miss P Lobbett |
|
| 1925 |
|
WORPLESDON |
Miss J Wethered |
Addington |
|
Miss P Read |
|
| 1926 |
|
CAMBERLEY HEATH |
Miss M Gourlay |
Prince (Mitcham) |
|
Mrs P Wilson |
|
| 1927 |
|
WORPLESDON |
Miss J Wethered |
North Hants |
|
Mrs R L Kennedy |
|
|
|
| 1928 |
|
LADY GOLFERS’ |
Mrs P Garon |
Walton Heath |
|
Mrs W Payne |
|
| 1929 |
|
NORTH HANTS |
Miss D R Fowler |
Ryl Mid Surrey |
|
Miss P Lobbett |
|
| 1930 |
|
NORTH HANTS |
Miss D R Fowler |
Lady Golfera Club |
|
Miss P Lobbett |
|
| 1931 |
|
LADY GOLFERS’CLUB |
Miss E Wilson |
Addington |
|
Miss G E C Rudgard |
|
| 1932 |
|
LADY GOLFERS’CLUB |
Miss E Wilson |
Porters Park |
|
Miss G E C Rudgard |
|
| 1933 |
|
THORNDON PARK |
Mrs P Garon |
Addington |
|
Miss J Winn |
|
| 1934 |
|
LADY GOLFERS’ CLUB |
Miss E Wilson |
Thorndon Park |
|
Miss D Pearson |
|
| 1935 |
|
CAMBERLEY HEATH |
Miss D Chambers |
Ryl Mid Surrey |
|
Miss H Palmes |
|
| 1936 |
|
WENTWORTH |
Mrs Gage |
Addington |
|
Miss D Fishwick |
|
| 1937 |
|
ADDINGTON |
Mrs J Beck |
West Hill |
|
Mrs P Garon |
|
| 1938 |
|
WEST BYFLEET |
Mrs R T Peel |
Addington |
|
Miss B Dix Perkin |
|
| 1939 |
|
RYL MID SURREY |
Mrs A Armstrong |
Roehampton |
|
Miss P Barton |
|
WAR INTERVENES
| 1949 |
|
RYL MID SURREY |
Mrs R Sutherland Pilch |
Camberley |
|
Mrs G Styles |
|
| 1950 |
|
WENTWORTH |
Mrs A Critchley |
Worplesdon |
|
Mrs I Cowper |
|
| 1951 |
|
WENTWORTH |
Mrs A Critchley |
Moor Park |
|
Mrs I Cowper |
|
| 1952 |
|
RYL MID SURREY |
Mrs R Sutherland Pilch |
The Berkshire |
|
Miss J. Bisgood |
|
| 1953 |
|
WEST HILL |
Mrs Aitchison |
Lady Golfers Club |
|
Mrs E Johnstone |
|
| 1954 |
|
BEACONSFIELD |
Mrs K Braddon |
The Berkshire |
|
Mrs A Baucher |
|
| 1955 |
|
SUNNINGDALE |
Mrs A Keiller |
Beaconsfield |
|
Mrs I Cowper |
|
| 1956 |
|
RYL MID SURREY |
Mrs R Sutherland Pilch |
Lady Golfers Club |
|
Mrs J Roberts |
|
| 1957 |
|
LADY GOLFERS’ CLUB |
Miss E Price |
Ryl Mid Surrey |
|
Miss A Ward |
|
| 1958 |
|
WENTWORTH |
Mrs A D Spearman |
Beaconsfield |
|
Mrs C Abrahams |
|
| 1959 |
|
HANKLEY COMMON |
Miss E Price |
Wentworth |
|
Miss E Paynter |
|
| 1960 |
Denham |
HANKLEY COMMON |
Miss E Price |
West Byfleet |
|
Miss E Paynter |
|
| 1961 |
Worplesdon |
WEST SUSSEX |
Mrs Grant White |
Walton Heath |
|
Mrs R Sutherland Pilch |
|
| 1962 |
Addington |
WEST HILL |
Mrs M Barton |
Beaconsfield |
|
Mrs C Barclay |
|
| 1963 |
Wentworth |
WENTWORTH |
Mrs C Abrahams |
Hankley Common |
|
Mrs J Beeson |
|
| 1964 |
St Georges Hill |
THORPE HALL |
Mrs A Bonallack |
Wentworth |
|
Miss E Collis |
|
| 1965 |
Denham |
DENHAM |
Mrs M Braithwaite |
West Sussex |
|
Mrs B Dutton |
|
| 1966 |
Sunningdale |
BERKHAMSTED |
Mrs M Oliver |
Stoke Poges |
|
Mrs Cunningham |
|
| 1967 |
West Herts |
DENHAM |
Mrs E Braithwaite |
Sunningdale L. |
|
Mrs Dutton |
|
| 1968 |
Langley Park |
SNOWED OFF |
|
|
| 1969 |
Ashford Manor |
DENHAM |
Mrs E Braithwaite |
Wentworth |
|
Mrs J Uzielli |
|
| 1970 |
Langley Park |
WALTON HEATH |
Mrs J Piper |
Langley Park |
|
Mrs J Thornhill |
|
| 1971 |
Berkhamsted |
THE BERKSHIRE |
Mrs D Dunne |
Berkhamstead |
|
Miss H Clifford |
|
| 1972 |
East Berks |
HANKLEY COMMON |
Mrs E Price Fisher |
Walton Heath |
|
Miss A Rampton |
|
| 1973 |
Orsett |
THORNDON PARK |
Mrs J Holmes |
Ryl Ashdown For |
|
Mrs B Lewis |
|
| 1974 |
Beaconsfield |
THE BERKSHIRE |
Miss H Clifford |
Denham |
|
Mrs J Uzielli |
|
| 1975 |
West Hill |
WEST BYFLEET |
Mrs D Henson |
The Berkshire |
|
Miss C Price |
|
| 1976 |
Hadley Wood |
WALTON HEATH |
Mrs M Nunn |
Gerrards Cross |
|
|
Miss D Strickland |
|
| 1977 |
Farnham |
GERRARDS CROSS |
Miss L Harrold |
East Berks |
|
Mrs D Young |
|
| 1978 |
Romford |
THORPE HALL |
Mrs A Bonallack |
Camberley Heath |
|
Mrs S Barber |
|
| 1979 |
Sandy Lodge |
RYL ASHDOWN |
Mrs P Riddiford |
Walton Heath |
|
Mrs J Tate |
|
| 1980 |
Army G.C. |
TANDRIDGE |
Mrs S Birley |
Hendon |
|
Mrs C Bailey |
|
| 1981 |
West Sussex |
GUILDFORD LADIES |
Miss S Peters |
Wentworth |
|
Miss L Davies |
|
| 1982 |
Maidenhead |
SUNNINGDALE |
Mrs C Caldwell |
The Berkshire |
|
Mrs J C Hobbs |
|
| 1983 |
Chislehurst |
TANDRIDGE |
Mrs C Bailey |
Walton Heath |
|
Mrs S Birley |
|
| 1984 |
South Herts |
THORNDON PARK |
Mrs S Barber |
Harpenden |
|
Miss S Moorcroft |
|
| 1985 |
Hindhead |
HARPENDEN |
Mrs H Kaye |
Moor Park |
|
Mrs A Pyke |
|
| 1986 |
Rochford |
THORNDON PARK |
Mrs S Barber |
Rochford |
|
Miss S Moorcroft |
|
| 1987 |
Harewood Downs |
NEVILL |
Miss M J Cornelius |
Thorndon Park |
|
Miss N Way |
|
| 1988 |
Ealing |
HARPENDEN |
Mrs H Kaye |
Knebworth |
|
Mrs J Walter |
|
| 1989 |
Ryl Ashdown |
WALTON HEATH |
Mrs J Thornhill |
Stoke Poges |
|
Miss D Walpole |
|
| 1990 |
Reading |
STOKE POGES |
P Williamson |
Ryl Mid Surrey |
|
Miss C Hourihane |
|
| 1991 |
Army G.C. |
STOKE POGES |
Miss C Hourihane |
Worplesdon |
|
P Williamson |
|
| 1992 |
Rochester |
CHELMSFORD |
Mrs T Wilson |
Sundridge Park |
|
Mrs J Johnson |
|
| 1993 |
Hadley Wood |
KNEBWORTH |
Mrs J Oliver |
Chelmsford |
|
Mrs S Allison |
|
| 1994 |
Tandridge |
KNEBWORTH |
Mrs J Oliver |
Chelmsford |
|
Mrs S Allison |
|
| 1995 |
Chelmsford |
THE BERKSHIRE |
Mrs J Uzielli |
Wentworth |
|
Mrs S Sanderson |
|
| 1996 |
Stoke Poges |
THE BERKSHIRE |
Mrs J Uzielli |
Knebworth |
|
Mrs S Sanderson |
|
| 1997 |
Highgate |
THE BERKSHIRE |
Mrs S Sanderson |
Chelmsford |
|
Mrs A Mackeson Sandbach |
|
| 1998 |
The Berkshire |
THE BERKSHIRE |
Mrs S Sanderson |
St Georges Hill |
|
Mrs A Mackeson Sandbach |
|
| 1999 |
Moor Park |
THE BERKSHIRE |
Mrs S Sanderson |
Knebworth |
|
Mrs C Bushell |
|
| 2000 |
Blackmoor |
WORPLESDON |
Miss M Whiteley |
Ellesborough |
|
|
Miss L McGowan |
|
| 2001 |
Kings Hill |
PORTERS PARK |
Miss S Matthews |
Chelmsford |
|
Miss H Emms |
|
| 2002 |
Rochford |
PORTERS PARK |
Miss H Emms |
Stockbrook Manor |
|
Miss H Skinner |
|
| 2003 |
Tandridge |
CHELMSFORD |
Mrs T Wilson |
Moor Park |
|
Miss F Smith |
|
| 2004 |
West Sussex |
WORPLESDON |
Miss L McGowan |
Moor Park |
|
Miss A Coffey |
|
| 2005 |
The Berkshire |
CHELMSFORD |
Miss F Smith |
Worplesdon |
|
Miss L Clark |
|
| 2006 |
Grim’s Dyke |
COWDRAY PARK |
Miss H Ralph |
Brocket Hall |
|
Miss D Cheasley |
|
| 2007 |
Denham |
CHELMSFORD |
Mrs A Evans |
Beaconsfield |
|
Miss N Race |
|
| 2008 |
Camberley Heath |
CHELMSFORD |
Mrs T Wilson |
Guildford Ladies |
|
Miss F Smith |
|
| 2009 |
The Berkshire |
WORPLESDON |
Miss L McGowan |
Beaconsfield |
|
Miss K Laud |
|
No longer under EWGA; new Organising Committee set up.
| 2010 |
The Berkshire |
WORPLESDON |
Miss L McGowan |
Bearwood Lakes |
|
Katie Fewster |
|
| 2011 |
The Berkshire |
THE BERKSHIRE |
Alex Peters |
Sundridge Park |
|
Heidi Baek |
|
| 2012 |
The Berkshire |
WENTWORTH |
Inci Mehmet |
Worpleston |
|
Annabel Dimmock |
|
| 2013 |
The Berkshire |
ABANDONED:SNOW |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2014 |
The Berkshire |
CHELMSFORD |
Kelly Martin |
Guildford |
|
Georgina Blackman |
|
| 2015 |
The Berkshire |
WORPLESDON |
Katie Fewster |
Frilford Heath |
|
Jo Stocks |
|
| 2016 |
The Berkshire |
WORPLESDON |
Katie Fewster |
Sunningdale |
|
Jo Stocks |
|
| 2017 |
The Berkshire |
WORPLESDON |
Katie Fewster |
Royal Mid-Surrey |
|
Jo Stocks |
|
| 2018 |
The Berkshire |
THE BERKSHIRE |
Emma Newlove |
Stoke Park |
|
Izzie Holmes |
|
| 2019 |
The Berkshire |
ROEHAMPTON |
Jo Thesinger |
The Berkshire |
|
Lauren Gooding |
|
| 2020 |
Walton Heath |
CANCELLED: COVID |
|
|
| 2021 |
Moore Park |
CANCELLED: COVID |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2020 |
The Berkshire |
DENHAM |
Niamh O’Connor |
Wentworth |
|
Gemma Bradbury |
|
