EXPEREINCES IN ENGLAND: GOLF OUTING

Two days after our visit to Cambridge, I was treated to a game of golf at a very old and well-established golf club. The Thetford Club is a private club in which the men belong to a "society" and the ladies to a club, with a captain for both men and women who oversees all competitive events.

The Thetford Golf Club is in Norfolk County about 45 minutes from where I live near Sudbury -- certainly not as convenient as jumping in the car and 10 minutes later being at Bentcreek Golf Course in Jackson, which is what I had come to enjoy. We take for granted many of the wonderful conveniences we have in the greater Cape Girardeau area.

Upon arriving at the Thetford course, I noticed special parking signs assigned for the president and captains of the club. This must be a very special honor. I signed in and met the club professional, Gary Kitley, and his assistant. They informed me that Thetford was a long course and that everyone walked the flat course or carried their bag. I quickly asked for a "trolley," not a cart. I was shown the ladies' changing room and changed my shoes, since I had already been warned not to change my shoes at the car.

There are tee times, but the club has a ball holder that you notice as you approach the first tee. The sign there says when your group is all there and ready to play, please place your ball in the holder. First ball in the group tees off first regardless of tee times.

My landlord, Mr. Hume, is a member of the club and graciously introduced me to the differences on the English courses. The Thetford course has experienced drought for three years, and no fairways are watered. Thus the fairways were very rough and hard, but you got tremendous roll. The greens were watered and very green but also hard and very fast.

It is east to understand why many European players are good at running the ball onto the green to the hole as opposed to flying the ball to the green only to see it not old and roll over. One par-five hole I played seemed very long, and I thought my second shot would end up well short of the green. As I approached, I was both surprised and pleased to find the ball on the edge of the green. All I can say to you avid golfers who might be coming to England and Scotland to play, you had better work on those hooks and slices, or you are in for some very high scores. Coming out of heather, pine trees and tough bunkers and playing everything down unless there is an unplayable lie is THE GAME played in England. And Rules are strictly adhered to even in a friendly outing. I found good manners and courtesy to be well-practiced by everyone I encountered on or near the course. The pace of play is definitely not slow, even though everyone walks. The quiet beauty of the course left a strong impression on me. However, I must admit I missed the green, grassy fairways and lush greens of home.

After a great day of golf, George and I accompanied Elizabeth and David Hume to a church dinner. The St. George Anglican Church of Shimpling was having its annual harvest festival dinner. There we were treated to coronation chicken, ham, savory meat pies, vegetarian quiches and a selection of salads. After this portion of the meal, they cleared the buffet table and replaced it with all sorts of meringue cream tortes, fruit pies, gateaux, ice cream and coffee. Wine was served before and during dinner. Apple cider and sparkling water were available also. In the fall, many of the churches celebrate harvest both in their church services and with a special dinner. Fruits and vegetables are brought to the churches and later dispensed to the needy. This a very old and ongoing part of the culture here, where they give thanks to God for their good harvest and plenty even if they are not farmers.

Just like in America, interest in golf is really growing. I plan to begin work at the Royal Air Force Golf Course next week, with my first student being the colonel's wife. It seems she has been wanting lessons from a woman teacher. Little would I have thought that I would go from teaching golf at Bentcreek to both beginners and experienced players to teaching a colonel's wife in England.

All my best wishes to everyone in the Cape Girardeau area. I salute all of you in education, church work, golf and business, especially the news business. May each of us seek to be masters of good living, love and friendship in our chosen fields, whether it be at home or abroad.

Judith Williams Johnson and husband Dr. George Johnson are on an extended stay in England. This is another in a series of reports about their experiences.