Carol -- It was lovely to finally meet you at the service.
I can't remember a time when I haven't heard Mum mention you and it was so good to put a face to the name.
I really appreciate you taking time to come to the service and would like to use this blog to pass on my thanks to all those involved in the Renfrewshire Ladies County Golf Association, West Vets and beyond who attended the service or sent cards, messages and flowers - these have genuinely meant the world to me and its been a real comfort to know so many other people thought mum was pretty special.
I would also like to mention those who stood down at Caldwell Golf Club for the cortege passing. Coming over the bridge and along the road to see all the ladies gathered took my breath away. It was both unexpected and wonderful. - Mum would have LOVED that so much.
I have spent the day trying to find the words to express what an amazing scene that was and there really isn't any to do it justice -- so if its ok I'll just say THANK YOU
A bit like the Pharaoh's, Mum was sent off with the essentials for the after life - best golf jumper, shoes, glove, scorecard, pencil, marker tee and skip !
Those that knew her knew she was terrible for always looking to change her clubs so I'm expecting she'll get a new celestial set. I hope you and everyone have a lovely Christmas and wish you all the best for the coming year.
The photo I took of the flag at half mast down at Caldwell GC on the way home from the service. I thought it summed the day up really well.
There has been a change of plan for Heather Anderson's Funeral due to Covid.
The hearse will leave from Heather's home in Uplawmoor at 9.50am on Friday 26th November.
It will travel down the village main street towards Cadwell GC -- (some of you may wish to pay your respects by standing at the roadside) The cortege will go slowly past the Golf Club going towards Irvine.
There will be a service at 10.30am at Holmbridge Crematorium, Irvine ( KA11 4EF) to which all are invited.
The service will also be streamed and the code will be listed on the Crematorium website.
For clarification, there will not be a service at Caldwell Parish Church.
After the service at the crematorium, Lesley has invited all to meet up at the Uplawmoor Hotel from 11.45am onwards. -- CLICK HERE FOR THE OBITUARY
Heather at the Scottish Seniors Championship in 2004
It is with much sadness that I have to announce the death of Heather Anderson (Caldwell GC and Troon Ladies) on the 8th November 2021 a month short of her 91st birthday.
Heather was Scottish Champion in 1969 and in the Vagliano Team in that year. She was also theRenfrewshire County Champion 9 times, and aScottish Ladies Internationalistin 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.
Her good friend -- Renfrewshire Counties' Liz Hale from Caldwell Golf Club wrote
Heather took up golf at the age of 17. Her passion, up until this point had been horse riding however, after a serious horse riding accident at the Royal Highland Show, her parents managed to persuade her to sell her horses. She was then left with a choice on whether to take up badminton or golf. Golf won.
Heather joined Caldwell Golf Club, aged 17 and in the same year, competed and won the Paisley Grammar School Championship. By 1948, Heather had a handicap and started playing in the Medals at Caldwell GC which were played on Saturday afternoons after the gents. It was during this time that Heather met Ian, her future husband.
Heather partnered a number of accomplished golfers during her career including Findlay Black (who holds the record scorecard at Caldwell GC) - playing in the final of the Daily Mail Medal Foursomes at Gleneagles and Margaret Sharp at Troon Portland and at Caldwell GC with many successes. Heather also performed with style, most notably at the Highland Open Championship, Pitlochrie, where she donned trousers, shirt, cap and glove – all in the Anderson tartan. A competitor was overheard saying; ‘My God, it’s a bag of pipes she should be playing!’.
By 1958, Heather was a scratch golfer and was chosen to play for the Renfrewshire Team which she continued to do over a span of 32 years.
In 1964, Heather’s international career took off.
Heather played for Scotland in the Home Internationals in Sweden and France. She led the team in the European Championship and then two months later, Scotland won the Home International at Western Gailes. This was when Heather defeated the National Champion of England, of Ireland and of Wales, finishing the series with 100% success and earning the honour of being asked to play for Great Britain and Ireland.
Heather’s most memorable win, of course, was at West Kilbride when she won the
Scottish Ladies’ Championship in 1969. There was a gold Medal but no prize money at that time and her daughter Lesley was seen to be building sand castles in the bunker to celebrate her victory !!
However, history was made when Heather was presented with a replica owned by the late Jean McCulloch of West Kilbride. Jean had, in her earlier years, won the Scottish title on three occasions between 1913 and 1928 and it was this last replica that Heather regraded as one of her most treasured possessions.
In 1980, Heather turned professional, only the second lady professional in Scotland, at that time and then reinstated in 1985 to the amateur ranks.
In the same year, Heather received an Honourable Membership at Caldwell GC.
Heather was Ladies Caldwell GC Champion (19 times) as well as winning many other trophies. She was our current Ladies President. -- She was truly an inspiration to us all!
Since her 80th birthday in 2010 Heather still managed to play golf up until about 2016 and featured throughout the last decade with various achievements --
In 2013 She entered a competition through 'How Did I do' . It was to tell a story about a memory of the 'Open'.
Heather's memory told about the time when her young daughter, Lesley, had approached Gary Player and asked for his autograph for her Mum. He was delighted to give this. At which point Lesley asked 'Would you like me to get my Mum's autograph now to give to you ?
This story made Heather one of the prize winners -- and to top it all she was informed she could bring a friend - and her friend invited was Liz Hale
A round of golf at Muirfield (with Caddy) on Thursday 20th June, just before the closing of the course to perpare for the Open.
2 nights stay at the McDonald Marine Hotel in North Berwick . (Taxi to the Course included)
Golf Clinic With Darren Clark followed by Buffet Lunch.
Dinner on Thursday Evening with 'Q and A session' with Darren Clark.
They both had a marvellous day -- the Marine was comfortable, friendly and good food. The clinic with Darren Clark was really informative and interesting - driving and short game- always something relevant you remember to take away with you.
This was followed by a wonderful buffet lunch in the Clubhouse before going out for our round of golf.
We were put into ten teams of four. As Heather and Liz were the only two ladies it was funny to see the expressions on the faces of the two Irish gentlemen who had been landed with us. They were great to play with.
The weather was good, sunshine and they each had a caddy. Heather played well which made the game enjoyable for her and Darren Clark played 2 holes with their team.
It was a great experience to play the course and made watching The Open itself more interesting.
After the game they returned to the Hotel where there was a prizegiving dinner with Darren Clark hosting a question and answer session. The men were given ties with the Claret Jug embroidered on it while Heather and Liz were each given a lovely silver brooch of the Claret Jug -- Nice keepsake.
A really enjoyable experience - a well deserved experience for Heather to add to all her very many golfing achievements. She was quite sad to come away from Muirfield.
In 2014 she was first Commonwealth Games baton bearer in her home town of Uplawmoor in East Renfrewshire. The BBC reported that -- Heather has long been an active member of the community and has been involved with the local council, the church board and the church choir. She is also an accomplished golfer, and won the Scottish Ladies Championship in 1969
It was an early start for Heather as she had to be there for 6.15am!! The carrying of the torch was at 7.30am and the rain held off. All TV cameras and eyes on Heather in her blue and white uniform as she carried the torch about 400 yards before handing it on. Quite an honour and a day to remember for Heather. Half the village turned out to see her and we were all given a lovely breakfast in the local hall afterwards. Heather had her hair done the day before and the first thing she asked her daughter on the the morning of the event was -'Is my hair alright?' She did well!!
Heather played in the West Vets Summer Meeting in 2016 over her Home course Caldwell with your webmaster Carol Fell who was so impressed with her still wonderful swing -- SO EASY!!
Heather, Wendy and Aileen
Later that year she was then awarded Honorary Membership of the West Vets at the 2016 AGM alongside Aileen Wilson to join Wendy Cameron as the 3 Honorary Members. --
Liz Hale said today "Heather fought bravely for the last year but died peacefully at home which is what she would have wanted. Her daughter Lesley looked after her very well ".
"Before her illness, Heather was always ready for a coffee and chat and enjoyed going down to Troon to catch up with her long term golf 'pals' there.
A long and successful career with a swing that was 'easy and consistent'. Not many golfers go off golfing in Portugal in their mid eighties!
She was the oracle at Caldwell and a respected and much liked lady President of the Club - She will be missed at Caldwell and missed in her very much loved village of Uplawmoor."
Heather’s funeral will be on Friday 26th November.
There will be a video / streaming of the service . I think these are usually on the website for a few days. A code is required which I shall send to you as soon as I have it.
Lesley has asked for no flowers but possible to make a donation to Hessilhead - Wild Life Rescue at Beith Liz Hale
TO READ A THANK YOU FROM HEATHERS DAUGHTER LESLEY -- CLICK HERE
Finally a happy memory from 2009 -- a toast to the County ! -- Much laughter and hilarity -- Rest in peace Heather
