FORMER headteacher Sue Kaye knows a thing or two about rules.
After spending a career in education, she has swapped the classroom for the golf course and become one of the country’s top referees.
Sue, 63, who plays at Crosland Heath Golf Club, has just returned after one of the busiest weeks yet.
She was the only female among four referees at the northern qualifier for the Brabazon Trophy at Pleasington, Lancashire. The Brabazon is the English open amateur strokeplay championship, with home and overseas players.
Previously Sue had refereed only women’s matches, but following the recent amalgamation of the men’s and women’s games under England Golf, this was her first all-male competition.
An unusual circumstance led to her having to remind one of the competitors of the rules.
A player hit a drive on a 365-yard par four.
His ball hit the road running alongside the hole and bounced all the way down the tarmac to end up on the road in front of the green.
The player’s free drop landed on the green, much to his delight.
But Sue had to inform him that a free drop may not land on the green (or in a hazard).
One of the main roles of the referees was to ensure that players played within the regulation time of four hours 14 minutes.
Several reminders play were given, but nobody was penalised.
Sue said: “The men were all charming and happy to take decisions from me.
“It was fabulous and the standard of golf was brilliant.
“It was a 14-hour day, but the whole thing was an excellent experience.
“Since the formation of England Golf, it is very good that the whole of golf is under one umbrella.”
Competition at the Brabazon qualifier was fierce.
All of the 132 amateur golfers were plus handicappers battling for 30 places at the final, to be held at Formby from June 26 to 29. The magic number of 72 was the cut-off for qualifying and there was a 20-man play-off for all those on that score.
Sue then had a day back home before heading over to Hessle Golf Club in East Yorkshire to referee the final of the Yorkshire Veteran Ladies’ Golf Association (YVLGA). Two Huddersfield players reached the latter stages: Sandra Paul and Pat Wrightson, who made it to the semis. The eventual winner was Cheshire’s Caroline Berry.
Sue is the only female referee in the region.
She first qualified as an R&A (Royal & Ancient) referee in 2008 and is now in the mixed pool of England Golf referees.
She has previously refereed both the English women’s amateur and English women’s senior finals.
She’s also twice reached the finals on the English Golf Club Rules Competition with her Crosland Heath teammates.
