I was doing just fine up until that point and largely successful in blocking out my uncertain fate. Denial may not be a river in Egypt, but it floated my boat when it came to dealing with the complexities of cancer. There’s a thin veneer between the dream and the reality and that suited me just fine too.

So I was rather hoping for a quiet news day complete with tales of hapless celebrities and Met Office warnings in preparation for what lay ahead. Instead I was faced with wall to wall women’s groups, medical experts, survivors and the ridiculously capable Angelina Jolie. It did little to settle the fragile mind.

Every journey matters they say and the desultory outing to the Royal London Hospital for my results proved no exception. Those halcyon days of last summer, blithely unaware of agitated months ahead routinely consumed with consultation rooms, operating tables, jabs, electrocautery, stitches and a charming plastic surgeon called Ahmed.

Dizzied by the visceral news images of earlier, I paused before sauntering up to the second floor and hastily tapped into my Google app: ‘New York Times Angelina Jolie’. If this woman really had anything to offer, now was the time as I was running out of it.  My appointment with Doctor Destiny was in 22-minutes. Slumped on the cold, hard, clinical steps of a London hospital stairwell I read Angelina Jolie’s words. And then I read them again.

And so it was that I came to be perched across the desk from a bespectacled gent in a white coat: “We got it all. You’re cancer free”, he said. I gulped long and hard. He took my hand: “Breathe … please” he urged, staring at me anxiously. I did. It felt good. Better than it had in some time.

Formalities over with he handed me a business card. “Call her anytime”, he said. “She is a specialist who helps people affected by cancer.” I laughed childishly still aglow with relief. “Maybe they should just read today’s New York Times,” I muttered. The doc glared at me quizzically.

I’m not sure that there is a discernible point to this story, except to say that there are some women who make things better and yesterday, for me, Angelina Jolie was one of them. Her circumstances, profile and courage will go far in helping others around the world and raising awareness of this awful disease.

I’ve always thought there was something of the unreal about Angie, but Brad aside, she really has done something quite extraordinary. “I chose not to keep my story private”, she wrote in the New York Times, “Because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer.”

I am not comparing like with like; the astonishing bravery of a heroine from Hollywood versus the coward from the colonies. No two stories are the same when it comes to cancer, whatever form it may take, whereever it may strike, whatever the results.

Either way, the much derided NHS may have just saved me. And my leg.

But Angelina Jolie played her part too.

A version of this article was republished by Channel 4 News

Well, today I’m thrilled to say that a new chapter is about to begin …

Let the games begin …

Topping the list of winners were Daily Mirror reporter James Nursey (div 1) and Colin Hancock of CNN Golf (div 2). Colin was the overall winner, net 72, and winner the Lord Riddell Memorial Trophy. The top 16 qualifying for the Emsley Carr knock out.

This year I’m pleased to welcome a number of new members to the society from across the media industry who join our party of intrepid journalists blasting their way around uncharted territory in search of silverware and decent wine. What an incredible honour it is to captain such a distinguished society, now in it’s 109^th year, where golf records are set, friendships are forged and champagne-swilling memories made.

Happy golfing!

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: AFP, Association de la Presse et du Golf, Golf, PGS, PGS 2013, Press Golfing Society, Wryter Cup ]]> http://golfmadchick.com/2013/03/17/welcome-to-phwoarplesdon/feed/ 3 PGS Worplesdon golfmadchick Wintery at Worplesdon PGS Worplesdon PGS Worplesdon http://golfmadchick.com/2013/01/22/have-you-ever-had-a-hole-in-one/ http://golfmadchick.com/2013/01/22/have-you-ever-had-a-hole-in-one/#comments Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:13:03 +0000 Golfmadchick http://golfmadchick.com/?p=3458 Continue reading »]]> I want to hear about the story of the greatest golf shot of your life.  

When, where and how did you pull off the perfect fluke? I’ve been lucky to have had two revered golfing moments. The 11th at St Andrews and a couple of years ago on the 134-yard 14th at  Muswell Hill Golf course, in North London (below). I’m holding out for a third golf miracle. Admittedly more in hope than expectation.

“The ball soared through the air clearing the Strath bunker like a Kentucky show horse and disappeared into the hole on the large elevated green.” My Old Course hole-in-one – 11 February 2000.

Now let’s hear all about yours …

Click below and spot the difference…

On the plus side it can be enormously good fun…

A land of lore and legend encircled with its ancient 45ft walls should be at the top of your must-see list when visiting Portugal.

Fifty-five miles north of Lisbon, the fortified town of Óbidos is considered one of the jewels of Portugal’s national heritage. It is known as the “Wedding Present Town” because it was a gift King Dinis gave to Queen Isabel on their wedding day in 1282. Recaptured from the Moors in 1418, it’s like stepping back in time as you walk through the narrow cobble stone streets lined with colorful houses, gothic doorways, dazzling tiles and whitewashed churches.

Its unspoiled beauty is reflected in the Honeysuckle flowers that spill from vibrant window boxes along sinuous streets with romantic recesses, arcades and small squares – all encircled by the medieval walls of a 12th century castle. Within the walls of this stunning town are numerous bars and restaurants whose architectural features span centuries. My stay included a taste or two of Ginjinha, a traditional liqueur made from infused Ginja berries commonly served in small edible chocolate cups.

The local medieval style cuisine of spit roasted hog, grilled sausages, snails, cod, quail, rabbit, hog, lamb, squid and hearty soups are offered by twenty different market taverns. A particular favourite dish is Caldeirada, a typical Portuguese fish stew accompanied by special regional wines. Óbidos has a lively calendar of events including recreating the spirit of medieval Europe with a two-week market, a Piano festival and the famous Chocolate Festival.

But wait there’s more … with year-round sunshine, picture-postcard Óbidos also makes for a perfect golf holiday destination. Portugal’s Silver Coast is host to a range of championship courses set alongside beautiful sandy beaches, in protected rural landscapes of rolling sand dunes and pine tree forests.

Bom Sucesso Golf Course is a superb Donald Steel project. With its winding fairways and huge, well-protected greens, this challenging parkland course on an area of sloping terrain has spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and Óbidos lagoon. Green fees are reasonably priced at 90 euros on weekends and 74 euros midweek.

Despite being less than a decade old, Praia D’El Rey Golf & Country Club has risen steadily in Golf World’s Top 100 Courses in Europe. A true links golf course spread along dunes, cliffs and pine trees. The blue of the sun-splashed sea and golden sandy beaches dominate the horizon. Green fees are slightly pricier at 130 euros on weekends and 110 euros midweek.

The luxurious Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort is a Severiano Ballesteros designed masterpiece. Occupying 65-hectares, this challenging and beautifully architectured course has breath-taking views with six holes overlooking Portugal’s largest lagoon and twelve holes facing the Atlantic Ocean. A true test of golf for players of all levels. Green fees are from 90 euros on weekends and 75 euros midweek.

First up is the Daily Mail’s doctor, who this week informed his readers that giving up alcohol for January will do you more harm than good. What a load of self-deluding drivel. Yet another rehashed, alarmist, new year article wheeled out during a slow news month.

Next is Dr Dukan steering me down January’s healthy eating path. One key difference being that this good doctor’s rocky, pothole-strewn road stipulates a period of abstinence.

Surprisingly, I know which of these quack’s advice I’m taking. Step forward the Dukan doc and his high protein, low carbohydrate diet. Is it easy? Is it hell. But as I’m on the cusp of losing at least one of my chins, I’m persevering.

Helpfully doc Dukan pushes the scare-mongering aside and deals with his no alcohol diet regime rationally. A dry January won’t give you a shiny new liver, but the benefits certainly begin with the ever-shrinking hangover blight of many a diet.

I was reminded of this only today when a dinner party invite pinged into my inbox from a spirited drinking buddy who is also embarking on a month of self-restraint. Dukan may have confiscated all traces of merriment from my life, but the words ‘tea, coffee and lettuce leaf’ were enough to restore what shreds of battered humour remain. Needless to say, I declined.

As ‘Dryathlon’ wannabes around the world solider on towards our next booze-free week, I say cheers to every one of you.

Picture the scene … you’ve hit a belter down the 18th. Split the fairway perfectly with your driver. Ball is perched on a lush tuft. Sun threatening to make an appearance too. Everything is going in your favour. This is going to be one hell of a round. Feeling a tad smug you walk up to the ball. It hasn’t quite reached the 150-posts. You squint into the distance towards the green. Pin is tucked away back right. Or so it seems. There’s a cold northeasterly blowing. Green looks ridiculously far away. Maybe it’s an optical illusion. You pace it out to the 150-yard marker. Reach for your trusty 6-iron. Doubts creep in. Have I done my sums right? Maybe someone’s moved the 150 posts. 162-yards according to my calculations. That can’t be right. There’s not a hope in hell I’m reaching the green with this club. Hands begin to tremble. For the love of God, can somebody please just tell me how far it is to the pin please?

The answer is yes and it comes in the form of GPS and range-finder gizmos taking the golfing world by storm. For the past three months I’ve been road-testing these game-changing gadgets courtesy of our friends at Garmin and Nikon. It’s official, guesswork is a thing of the past and I tremble no more. Here’s the lowdown:

APPROACH S3

• Touchscreen GPS golf watch
• Preloaded with over 27,000 worldwide courses
• Yardage to the front, middle and back of the green
• Yardage to lay up and dog leg landing areas
• Move the pin for increased accuracy

VERDICT: Suitable for the casual golfer. Super simple to use and features a high-resolution, glove-friendly touchscreen display. Just like checking the time really. Downside: Battery drains too quickly.

Price: From £199.00

APPROACH G6 

• Preloaded with over 27,000 worldwide courses
• Unlimited targets with Touch-Targeting
• Multiple scoring options including Stableford, skins and match play
• Lay up arcs for a quick yardage reference
• Enhanced stat tracking with fairways hit, GIR and putts per round

VERDICT: One of the most popular GPS units on the market. Compact size with a stylish finish and long battery life. One of the most accurate in terms of the touch screen, it shows distances to and from anywhere on the course just by touching and dragging. Downside: It’s too expensive.

Price: From £299.00

Nikon London 2012 Olympic Games Laser 1000AS Rangefinder 

• High performance laser golf range finder
• Measures distances up to 1,000 yards exactly to your target
• Calculates distance a shot is playing by factoring in the slope angle
• Adjusts brightness of the display depending on the surroundings

VERDICT: The Rolls Royce of rangefinders for serious golfers looking for the most accurate distances. You’ll never leave home without it. Downside: I can’t find one.

Price: From £350.00

So there you have it … whether GPS devices and rangefinders are good for the game of golf is up for debate. Whether they’re good for my game of golf is a resounding YES.

Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen because it means your family will not starve. Really? Perhaps that’s a plus because as the 2013 starting line approaches, it spells out a month on the wagon coupled with a January Dukan diet regime.

The Chinese horoscope insist this could also be taken metaphorically to mean that a Snake will never have a problem with his family starving because he (Ed: or she!) is such a great mediator making them good at business. Boom! Jubilee Communication is entering its second year of business tomorrow.

They are attractive people who take cries with ease and do not become flustered easily. Probably just as well that crisis management is my chosen vocation in life then.

Or it could mean that a Snake is willing to sacrifice his possessions in order to pay for his family’s food and is a measure of the value he puts on his material wealth? Unlikely! I own a shiny new set of Callaway RazrX golf clubs and I’m sacrificing them for nobody.

Contemplative and private, the Snake is not outwardly emotional. Ooooh tough blow! For the record I was so petrified I downed several large Pinots and shed a tear or two before making my inaugural Press Golfing Society Captaincy speech.

Snake people are over suspicious, which is their nature. They hide their suspicion and act as if nothing is on their minds. Spot on! Just look no further than the bad reality show that was 2011.

The Snake is the intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the Animal Signs. Then perhaps you could explain why sometimes I feel like I’m living in the show that never ends amid a lingering scent of egomaniacal gasbags? (Lawyer: Stop right there Golfmadchick!)

They are stubborn people, exciting and dark at the same time. I can’t pretend I am the woman I was before but since I battle to pronounce the words ‘classic denial’ – I’ll move on.

The Snake is keen, cunning, intelligent and wise. Oh whatever! I’m more of a cat person anyway.

A happy and prosperous new year to all Golfmadchick readers.