Alison Murdoch

It took some time for our 2000 C-FAX Senior Champion to find her way to B.C., but now that we have her, we look forward to many years of Championship style golf. In her first year of eligibility, Alison is ranked 1st in the District; 2nd in the Province and 8th in Canada. Let's not forget that she is also still an amateur and ranked 2nd in the District and 6th at the Provincials in 2000....now that's great golf!

Alison started playing golf at the age of 8 at Larrimac Golf Club, a 9-hole course in the hills just outside her home town of Ottawa and where she collected most of the Club's hardware between the years l967 to 1989. Many junior trophies came her way for under 12 and under 14 girls and in 1967, Alison became the Quebec Junior Girls' Champion.

Her teen years behind, Alison continued to win club and provincial awards, and in 1974, the national reduction of handicap award from the CLGA. The Ottawa City and District Championship followed in 1977, 1987, 1993, 1994, and 1996.

In 1989, Alison joined the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and was Club Champion that same year and kept the string going through 1998. Along the way, a course record of 69 was recorded in 1990. Alison remains a non-resident member at Royal Ottawa.

In 1997 and 1998, Alison won a place on the Quebec team for the Ontario-Quebec Challange Matches (Ryder Cup format) and came sixth in the Quebec Ladies Amateur Championship in 1997.

In 1998, Alison moved to Vancouver and took up active membership at the Victoria Golf Club, traveling to Victoria most weekends to visit her Father and slip in a round or two to keep that wonderful game fine tuned. Upon retirement, Alison is now a permanent resident of Victoria.

Following are just a few of Alison's golfing accomplishments:

2007 - Sport BC Master Athlete of the Year

RCGA - Canadian Seniors:

• 2000 – Placed 8th – Dundarave, PEI
• 2001 – Placed 4th – Vancouver, BC
• 2002 – Champion – Saint John, NB
• 2003 – Placed 7th – Galt, ON
• 2004 – Champion – Steinbach, MB
• 2005 – Champion – Calgary, AB
• 2006 – Placed 6th – Ottawa, ON
• 2007 – Champion – Waskesiu Lake, SASK

USGA Seniors:

• Attended five times
• Qualified for Match Play portion all times
• 2002 - made quarterfinals and was therefore exempted from qualifying in 2003
• 2003 - lost first round match play;
• 2004 – lost in second round to eventual winner
• 2006 - lost first round match play
• 2007 – round of 64, lost in first round of match play (Sunriver, Ore)

Irish Seniors Open:

• Attended four times:
• 2004 - Champion - Sea Point, Drogheda
• 2005 - Champion - Woodbrook,
• 2006 - Placed 4th - Woodbrook, Bray
• 2007 - Champion - Ennis

British Seniors:

• Attended four times:
• 2004 – Placed 30-something – Portstewart, Northern Ireland
• 2005 – Placed 11th – Newport, Wales
• 2006 – Placed 4th - Dumfries and County in Scotland
• 2007 – Champion - Copt Heath

PNGA Senior Women

• 2005 – Senior Champion Yakima, WA
• 2006 – Placed 2nd – Victoria Golf Club
• 2007 – Placed 5th – Spokane, WA
• 2007 – PNGA Senior Player of the Year
• Mid-Amateur Women
• 2006 – Champion – Walla Walla, WA
• 2007 – Semi-Finalist – Spokane, WA

British Columbia Seniors:

• 2000 – Runner-up – Vernon Golf Club
• 2001 – Runner-up – Uplands Golf Club
• 2002 – Runner-up – Squamish Valley
• 2004 – Runner-up – Sunshine Coast
• 2005 – Champion – Cristina Lake Golf Club
• 2007 - Runner-up – Cordova Bay Golf Club (Lost in playoff)

Zone 5 Women - Victoria, BC:

• Amateur:
• 2000 – Runner-up – Cowichan/Victoria/Arbutus Ridge
• 2001 – Runner-up – Arbutus Ridge/Cedar Hill/Uplands
• 2002 – Champion – Cedar Hill/Olympic View
• 2003 – Champion – Glen Meadow/Victoria
• 2004 – Runner-up – Cedar Hill/Cordova Bay
• 2005 – Champion – Cowichan/Gorge Vale
• 2006 - Champion – Uplands/Arbutus Ridge
• 2007 – Champion - Duncan Meadows/Cedar Hill



• Senior Champion:
• 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

Has represented Zone 5 as a Team member at the Provincials (Amateur/Senior) from 2000 to 2007.

Dianne Phillips

It all started in 1965 when Diane traveled from her hometown of Kamloops to Vancouver with Marilyn Palmer (now O'Connor and 1999 Hall of Famer) who was participating in the B.C. Ladies Tournament. With only two years experience, Diane played at Shaughnessy and came second in the Junior Tournament which qualified her for the B.C. Junior Team, then on to the Canadian Junior that same year, and won low gross in her handicap division.

The following year Diane moved to Victoria, deciding to go to University and then into Nursing School which put her golfing career on hold until the 12 hour shifts came into being in 1979. That year, Diane was runner up at the City & District to Dorothy DeGirolamo (Wilks).

Diane's name can be found 8 times on the City & District Trophy (now known as the C-FAX Ladies Amateur)as well as runner-up on 4 occasions. Other credits include: 1991 winner of the B.C. Amateur, 1991 and 1993 member of the B.C. Provincial Team (first alternate in 1990); runner-up at B.C. Provincials in 1993.

In her first year of eligibility, Diane won the 1999 C-FAX Ladies Senior Championship and went on to become the 1999 B.C. Senior Champion and a member of the B.C. Team. That same year, the City of Victoria nominated Diane for Athlete of the Year in the Masters Category. In 2000, Diane and her District 1 teammate, Alison Murdoch, were 50% of the B.C. Team that competed at the Canadian Seniors in P.E.I.

With all her trophies to polish and Nursing duties, you would think Diane had time only for golf, but her other hobbies include bridge (don't we all), knitting, sewing and cross stitch.

Margaret Todd

While most youngsters are twirling a golf club at age 12, Margaret waited until she was 18 when her boyfriend who was a good golfer, introduced her to the game. With a natural swing and love of competition, Margaret swung into action, winning her first City Championship in 1939, and followed with another ten engravings on the trophy. Only the Second World War and time out to raise three boys interrupted her wonderful career. And what a career!

• 11 Victoria City Titles, Runner up 10 times
• 13 times Victoria Golf Club ladies champion
• 7 Jasper Totem Pole wins (1st in 1947, last 1990)
• B.C. Champion 1947 - 49, runner-up 5 times
• 3 Empress Hotel Championships, 1947-49-50
• 8 times on BC Senior ladies interprovincial team
• Qualified in 1952 for USGA Ladies Amateur
• 8 times on BC Amateur Ladies interprovincial team
• Twice Victoria and District Senior Champ 1980-82
• Member of 5 international teams 1950-53-63-72-95
• National Senior Champion 1976-77
• B.C. Senior Champion 1975 - 1976

In 1972, Margaret was made a life member of Victoria Golf Club, followed in 1974 with election to the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, in December 1996 received the CLGA's Distinguished Service Award, and in 1997, elected to the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame. The ultimate crown was in 1997 when Margaret was inducted into The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame at Glen Abbey in Toronto, not only for her golfing achievements, but also for her extensive administrative work through the years at all levels of our sport. Her induction was followed with a lovely reception at her home club for local fans and friends to celebrate Margaret's accomplishments.

While trophies and plaques adorn the Todd household, a reminder of 60 years of wonderful memories and friendships made around the world, Margaret is still involved with local golfing events. Even though Margaret was born in Montreal and arrived in Victoria at the age of 10, we claim her as our own. Many had the opportunity to have witnessed "local girl makes good", but also how fortunate we have been to reap the benefits of Margaret's administrative prowess through the club, city, district, provincial and national ranks.

A major jewel in our District's crown...long may she reign.

Dorthy Wilks

It all began at age 14 when Dorothy and her brother, and childhood pal, Shirley Naysmith, used to climb over the fence along the 11th fairway at Gorge Vale Golf Club. When the Manager tired of chasing them off, he suggested to their parents that they should invest in a Junior Membership, and now our story begins.

1953 and 1954 launched her Junior career with back to back B.C. Junior Championships, and followed with the B.C. Amateur in 1954, 1955, 1960 and 1975. Other highlights include, B.C. Team member at the Canadian Amateur in 1953,1954, 1955, 1960 and 1980 and alternate in 1981; runner up to Marlene Stuart (Streit) in 1954 at the Amateur played in Dartmouth, NS. That next week, in Montreal, Dorothy competed as a member of the Canadian Team in an international tournament against the British Team.

With time out to raise 3 sons and a daughter, Dorothy returned to the golfing scene in 1969 to win her first "City"and has since added her name an additional 7 times to the trophy. Her Senior achievements include District titles in 1988, 1989 and 1990 and B.C. Championship in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1994. In 1988, the City of Victoria recognized Dorothy as "Master Athlete of the Year".

While cutting back on competitive events, Dorothy now has time to enjoy watching the progress of her granddaughter, Kristin DeGirolamo, a promising young junior at Gorge Vale, who takes us back 50 years when a little red head climbed over the fence on the 11th fairway on her way to an outstanding career in the world of Canadian golf.

Joan Lawson

Joan Lawson is a native daughter of Victoria and took up golf at the age of 15 with her sister, Dorothy, at Uplands Golf Club.

The first tournament Joan won was the Empress Midwinter Tournament in 1938 and again in 1940 and was runner up in 1942.

Joan was a good friend, fellow competitor and B.C. Team member with Margaret Todd of Victoria Golf Club.

Joan has been the Victoria City & District Champion three times and Runner-Up four times. She was a member of the British Columbia Amateur Team in 1959 when the team won the Low Net Canadian Team Championship.

Joan won the first C-FAX Victoria City & District Senior Championship in 1981 and won the B.C. Senior Championship twice and was Runner-Up three times. She was a member of the British Columbia Senior Team twelve times and the team on which she played won the Low Gross Canadian Senior Team Championship five times and won the Low Net Canadian Senior Team Championship twice. In 1973, Joan was Runner-Up at the Canadian Senior Championship. She tied for ninth in rating Canada's top 10 Senior Lady Golfers.

Joan has been Uplands Golf Club Champion twenty times and Runner-Up three times. In 1998, she was made an Honourary Life Member of Uplands Golf Club.

Leila Chartrand

A name to remember. Outstanding Junior, Amateur, and now entering the ranks of collegiate accomplishments at the University of Southern California. Her major at USC is sociology.

Born in Brisbane, Queensland on February 11, 1980, her parents moved back to Canada when Leila was just 2, and settled in Winnipeg. Her love of the game began at age 11, and it wasn't long before she won her first tournament in 1991, followed by her next win in a regional tournament for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. After that, she placed fourth in the North American Championship in Arkansas for girls in her age group.

In 1993, Leila's family moved to Victoria where she enrolled at Lambrick Park Secondary and their team won the 1998 B.C. Girls Div. High School Golf Championship (Leila finished fourth). Her trophy case includes two Manitoba Junior Championships, two B.C. Junior trophies, one BC Amateur title, a fourth place finish at the Canadian National Junior Championships, a Canada team member at the 1997 Junior Worlds and back to back wins at the 1999 and 2000 C-FAX Amateur Championship held in Victoria, B.C. At this years C-FAX, Leila had a record setting 72 at Arbutus Ridge on the final day of a 3-day competition, winning the championship by eleven strokes.

Leila hopes to walk in the footsteps of Lori Kane, but first it is on to the task of qualifying for the U.S. Amateur.

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Marion Andrews

Another 'local girl makes good' story, and how many of you know that Marion is a member of the Greater Victoria Hall of Fame? Nooo, not for golf, but for being a member of the 1949 team that brought the first Canadian Women's Basketball Championship to Victoria. What could be more exciting than playing arch rival Vancouver, best out of three last game, with 4 seconds to go, Vancouver takes a foul and your teammate steps up to the line and sinks one of two free throws for a one point win?!! The team of 7 players went on to win the Canadian Championship, beating Edmonton and Toronto. All games were played in Victoria to a packed gym at Vic High.

Golf was a major part of Marion's life at Royal Colwood until the kiddies (3) came along. During a period as 'Domestic Goddess' from 1959 through 1975, she looked around for a new activity and became involved in curling. With her usual enthusiasm, she was Ladies Curling Chair at the Racquet Club of Victoria and was very involved with publicity for the 1974 Ladies' Curling Championship held in Victoria's Memorial Arena. In 1975, with the opening of the Oak Bay Recreation Centre, she was Co-ordinator of the Curling and Social Lounge and was one of the founding members of the Oak Bay Ladies Curling Club.

Serious involvement with golf returned in the early 90's with the organization of a Ladies' Club at the Cordova Bay Golf Course, and eventually Ladies' Captain 1993 - 1994. In 1996 the call came from the District for Vice-Chair, and then District Chair for 1998-1999. The Province followed and Marion was elected as the Vice-Chair for 1999-2000. Effective November 2000 - 2002, we are proud to introduce you to...... THE PRES.!!!.

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Peggy Wright

Born in Edmonton and educated in Calgary, plus two years at the U. of Manitoba, our "Peg" has kept an eye on the District since 1989, serving first as Publicity Chair, then as Treasurer from 1992-1995. From 1995-2000 she served as the District's Course Rater and Asst. Course Rater for B.C. in 2000, and in November 2000 took over the duties as B.C. Coarse Rating/Handicap Director. It must run in the family as Peggy's sister, Lee Misura, is also a course rater in Alberta. Both gals are keen competitors who love to tee it up at the Canadian Seniors, an annual tradition they started a few years ago.

A true supporter of local tournaments, she has participated in all but one C-FAX City Championship and only missed two Foursomes since 1986. A former Captain at Glen Meadows, Peggy was their Ladies' Champion 4 times. She is now a member of Royal Colwood and has one Ladies' Championship and one Weekday Championship to her credit....so far!

When not on the golf course, she and husband Bryan can be found on the road in their 5th Wheel. They completed a cross-Canada tour in 1998, and her new position will no doubt rack up a few more miles. In February they will pack their bags and head to the airport for a sightseeing and golfing holiday in Thailand.

Ashley Kelbough

Ashley was born in Victoria, B.C. on July 13, 1983 and will enter her Grade 12 year this September at Stellys High School.

When she was 13, Ashley's main interests outside of school were rowing and swimming with her sights set on becoming a Life-Guard. She worked very hard to earn her Bronze and Gold Medallions in swimming and at the same time keep on rowing.

Ashley joined Gorge Vale Golf Club in 1996 and under the tutelage of her Step-Grandad, Bernie O'Leary, found a challenge that began to replace swimming and rowing. Hours and hours on the practice range and a love of competition has seen her index factor plummet to 6.8. Under the watchful eye of coach John Randle, Assistant Pro at Gorge Vale, Ashley will soon need to set aside shelf space for her trophies. This year valuable experience was gained by entering the 3-day C-FAX Amateur and then on to the B.C. Juniors in Kelowna, as well as doing very well in local District 1 Junior tournaments . Ashley receives tremendous support from her family who are on hand for all tournaments. Her most recent accomplishment was winning the 2000 Ladies Club Championship at Gorge Vale.

An "A" student, Ashley hopes to continue her education on a golf scholarship, and to that end, has sent her resume to a number of universities in the US.