The Royal Harare Ladies Golf team successfully defended their title by winning the Gaby Tomlinson Trophy played at Chapman Golf Club recently.
Hosts Chapman won the Tomlinson Shield from Brooke, who had won it last year. The tournament is a two-day, seeded interclub foursomes competition.
The event highlights the continued growth of ladies’ golf, driven by the Harare Province Ladies Golf Association and the participating clubs. With increased sponsorship for prizes and support of the girl child, the tournament has the potential to grow into a major fixture on the calendar.
The Gaby Tomlinson Trophy recognises a champion woman in golf, both as a player and an administrator. Gabrielle Eckersley, who later married Tomlinson, became the first woman in the then Rhodesia to be awarded the Quails Trophy for individual excellence at the age of 64, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to golf.
Her golfing career began in 1944 on a 24 handicap, instead of the customary 36 for women at the time. By 1978, she had won the Rhodesian title 13 times, Mashonaland 15 times, Matabeleland seven times, Manicaland 13 times, and Midlands twice. She was Club Champion at Royal Salisbury (now Royal Harare) 18 times in 20 years, and Champion at Chapman Club 22 times in 24 years.
She played the game for enjoyment — as did the ladies this past weekend.
