It’s October, so it must be time for the July Club to meet.
Faithful followers of this blog will be aware of the existence of this little club of golfers, exclusive only in that it has four members, two Scotswomen and two Irishwomen. One day our collective brainpower, such as it is, hatched the idea that we should have an annual golfing trip, lasting a week, and that we’d alternate each year between Ireland and Scotland. The natives of that year’s host country were responsible for sorting out the accommodation and organising the golf courses. Not too difficult, you might think, and certainly it wasn’t, as we all lived (or knew folk who lived) in places that were ideal centres for a golf week.
The get-together was to take place in October as that seemed the only realistic time of year we could reliably co-ordinate our diaries. Eligibility for entry into this exclusive little club rested solely on being present when the idea was first mooted which means the full roster of membership reads as follows: Gillian Stewart and Sandra Ross from Scotland and Mary McKenna and Maureen Madill from Ireland.
One of our early trips provided us with a catchphrase for our group. We were staying down in the wilds of southwest Ireland with a great friend, Kay Keating, who introduced us to the gem that is Dooks, her home club. She’d send us on our way each morning to wherever we were playing that day, saying she’d be waiting for us, “arms outstretched”, when we came home. And indeed she was – arms outstretched, fire lit, meal on the go, wine open, all set for another evening of incomparable Kerry hospitality. In ensuing years, when we would meet up again for our precious week in October there would be great arms outstretched reunions at airports to kickstart the trip.
Originally, the week would pan out something like this: Sunday was travel day, Monday golf, Tuesday golf, Wednesday sightseeing, Thursday golf, Friday golf, Saturday sightseeing, Sunday home. So, in the beginning at any rate, we played four different courses at each get-together. One year we played Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and the Old Course at St Andrews – all on this week’s roster for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on the DP World tour. I guarantee we had more laughs than we had a right to and our competitive juices were fuelled by the cut and thrust of fourball golf. I think the fourth course we tackled that year was Ladybank, home of the late Dale Reid, a wonderful character and great friend.
It was realising that we’d arrived at the week of the Alfred Dunhill that set me to thinking of all the courses we have enjoyed playing as part of our little club. How’s this for a selection? Amongst others, our list comprises Royal Dornoch, Tain, Brora, Royal Aberdeen, Aboyne, Ballater, Banchory, Nairn, Castle Stuart, Royal Tara, Donabate, Seapoint, Co Louth, Dooks, Waterville, Ballybunion, Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock, Royal Co Down and The European.
Ah…..The European. What a course…and what an ethos for a golf club. Lovingly crafted by hand by architect Pat Ruddy and his entire family the course is a joy. It’s for golfers by golfers………..everything is secondary to the course. The clubhouse is modest – no Taj Mahal-like edifice here. Don’t get me wrong – it’s perfectly comfortable but there’s certainly no hint of affectation nor any delusions of grandeur.
The only thing to come close to rivalling the course is the welcome and it was in the pro’s shop that Gerry Ruddy unwittingly provided the name for our little group. He had us in stitches, making a right show of salaaming as the great Mary McKenna sailed into the shop. She’s royalty in Ireland, rivalling the one and only Christy O’Connor (known as “Himself”) in the affection in which she’s held by the golfing populace.Steeped in the game. Gerry instantly knew of Gillian’s prowess – three-time Scottish champion, Curtis Cup player and multiple Ladies’ European Tour winner, amongst her many other accomplishments. He made the same good-natured fuss of Gill and I also got a few mock bows thrown in my direction.
Sandra thought she had him licked. “Well, you don’t know anything about me,” she said, thinking that a mere scratch handicap and County Championship titles may have passed him by.
“Oh, yes I do,” Gerry responded quickly. “You’re Miss July.”
After general astonishment and questioning, Gerry informed us that as an accredited photographer at multiple Open Championships, his visits to the media centre had made him very familiar with the sight of Sandra up a stepladder keeping the giant scoreboard up-to-date for the world’s media. This was pre the electronic boards that are used now and each year Sandra was the leader of the team that manually put in every hole score for every player in the field. She was blissfully unaware that her legs were at the eye-level of several hundred writers and snappers (mostly men) for an entire week for 32 years!! Hence the nickname.
We all loved this yarn and forthwith decided that our group name would be the July Club – it still brings a smile to our faces, so thank you Gerry.
It’s some years now, with Covid and lockdowns and suchlike, since the July Club boasted four fully playing members. The Irish half of the gang have somewhat fallen by the wayside, with Mary Mc now an avid, and accomplished, photographer, as opposed to golfer. And over the last six months I’ve come to terms with the fact that my playing days are behind me and am currently exploring new interests and/or hobbies to take their place. We won’t disband the club, however – it may just slightly change direction.
The 2024 meeting was at this year’s Curtis Cup at Sunningdale.
Time plans were afoot for 2025.
What a lovely story. Of friends being just friends
Tears of joy came to my eyes playing The Edinburgh in the first match against a senior Irish team. Initial match at Burnham and Berrow the year before. Mary McKenna was pulling my opponents trolley at that point
( too young to be in the team!) and I had just hit a 3 iron bang on the stick. I looked up to heaven through the blue sky and white puffy clouds the waves breaking on the rocks to my right and thanked my Aunt who started me playing the game of golf. It will always be a favourite brings tears to think about it still
Love your blog! Next year sees Muir of Ord GC celebrate it’s 150th anniversary, something I’m sure is worth celebrating! As part of the “Magnificent Seven” courses on the Trail, it will be surely worth a mention, if not a visit to be included in your itinerary! Gillian knows all about us1
Good morning Maureen! Loved this article since I knew three out the four people in the July Club! Met Gillian and played with her at the CC this year (as you know, since that is where I met you too!) Hope you are doing well!
Hi Noreen. What a lovely time we all had at Sunningdale – it was great to meet you and even greater watching you play! Have been in touch with Brenda and was relieved to hear her house avoided the worst of the storm damage in Asheville. Stay safe.
150 years is quite a milestone, Hamish. Hope your club has all sorts of great things planned!
It’s so marvellous to have been involved in this great game – and with the memories we can airbrush out all the bad shots we ever hit!!
…and continuing to be friends.