JULIE Blumgart, the lady captain at Enmore Park Golf Club, held a virtual coffee morning last week that raised £710 for her chosen charity - Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (SARSAS), writes Richard Walsh.

In normal circumstances the ladies would have played nine holes of golf then gathered in the clubhouse to attend the event, but sadly lockdown meant this wasn’t possible.

Even so, the virtual event was very well supported, with 42 members of the ladies section taking part.

Not only did they see friends and fellow golfers (over Zoom) for the first time in many months, but they also enjoyed a coffee together.

There was an introduction to the work of SARSAS by its chief executive Clair Bloor, a quiz and a raffle.

The winning quiz team, the Greens, were delighted and will receive a prize on return to golf on March 29.

Blumgart said: “I’m so grateful to the ladies at Enmore; their generosity is second to none.

“We might not have been able to meet in person, but what a great start to my fundraising and my captaincy.

“It makes me realise even more than ever that golf is so much more than just playing the game.

“The social contact we have is very special.

“I think the ladies at Enmore really appreciate the work the charity does to support women in crisis, and I have received many messages in support on my JustGiving page.”

Further fundraising events are planned, the next being Eve Bolton cycling seven miles a day for seven days, seven ways at the end of March, and the Captain’s Charity Day on May 19, when stallholders who are regulars at ladies events will hopefully be able to attend.

A return to golf is greatly anticipated on March 29, with the ladies looking forward to meeting up once again.

To find out more about SARSAS, or how you can access help if you need it, visit its website here.