“Q and A” with Lindsay Murray-Gray
Hertfordshire Golf County Volunteer
Background
The role of County Volunteer is both beneficial to the person and the County, with well-known benefits for personal well-being.
There are so many different opportunities for a volunteer in Hertfordshire, from ball spotters and starters at events to team captains and board members with so much in between.
In this Q&A you will see just how volunteering doesn’t ever have to be a bind or a chore and something you may get to feel is something you do and enjoy
Team Captains are often taken for granted, but they play a key role in getting us organized, liaising with other captains and dealing with the dreaded last-minute drop out. We often forget they do all this voluntarily and embrace the challenge.
So, without further delay, let’s get you to meet Lindsay Murray-Gray, discuss her background in golf, her interests and vision for the county, plus the challenges / opportunities for all!
We hope you enjoy what is involved in being the Senior Women’s Team in Hertfordshire and maybe it could inspire you to volunteer for the county in any discipline or maybe you want to put yourself forward for selection for the team itself.
Sit back, relax, grab a drink and enjoy our conversation ……
Interview
Interviewer
- How long have you been involved in golf and a volunteer in Hertfordshire?
I have been playing golf seriously for 22 years. Golf was always something I wanted to do but never got beyond being a social player who would have a knock now and again. I discovered Mid Herts, a real rural retreat close to home and that is where I play today. Starting with a few lessons from Barney Puttick.
I had done some work with the “59Club”, so had some good insights into where was best to play. My lowest handicap so far is 6.1 and have regularly represented the club in Scratch matches and captained the team for more years than I would like to think about, which gave me a natural progression towards Senior Golf with the County. I have been Senior Women’s Golf Captain for 3 years.
- What is your role as a volunteer?
My role involves working with county secretary Louis to arrange fixtures for both the Leagues we are in, East Region and the BBHO League (Beds / Bucks / Herts /Oxford) 9 games in total to arrange, plus one or two friendlies. Currently the Leagues are self-contained with no progression to later stages, which is a shame but we’re hoping that may change. I put together and develop a squad that can hopefully compete. The squad system allows us to cover when other commitments can get in the way of availability as it’s a long season.
- Under your role as Senior Team Manager, what do you see as the major challenges for 2025?
It’s quite straight forward with 3 years’ experience behind me and one trophy; we need to win again! With my knowledge and the strength of the team we believe we really are not far off from success.
- What is your style that you bring to being a Team Manager in Hertfordshire?
Hands off most definitely, I trust they all know what they are doing. I’m of course there as a consoling ear or hopefully more there to congratulate. We certainly have a no blame culture, we win / lose and draw as a team. I’m also often playing as well, so would encourage from afar and as the matches reach their conclusions.
- What was the most enjoyable / rewarding match in 2024?
It would have to be the last game of the season in the East Region where we were away to Norfolk at Royal Norwich, it all came down to the last match and we managed a half. We really had the most wonderful team spirit through to the end!
- What are your next key commitments for the county?
Firming up the diary, arranging some training get togethers so that we are ready for our first league match in April.
- Does it all go quiet now between now and April?
It’s quieter, but there are still details to attend to. For example, I look at databases of players to see who might be eligible and up for consideration if they have become 50 in the last year and contact my wider squad for availability for the year.
- What in your view is Hertfordshire’s greatest strength?
We have such a great depth of quality courses across the county, surely the envy of other counties – who always enjoy coming to play in our county
- What, if any, challenges do we face?
We are attracting more golfers to the game, for lots of reasons and one is that with WHS you can get a much higher handicap as a beginner. We need to somehow encourage these golfers to be as good as they can be and get their handicaps as low as possible. They will enjoy the process and break out of the cycle of just social golf. Although we do realise that golfers play the game for so many reasons. But as a team manager I would like to have more of them to choose from and for them to enjoy the team experience.
- Other than golf, what are your other great life passions?
We have two rescue Red Setter Spaniels, so walking and enjoying them is a life passion. I also enjoy cooking and eating good food and reading as part of the 19th Hole Book Group.
- Who would be in your dream 4 Ball?
Rory McIlroy, Vernon Kaye and Hannah Burke
- Other than your home course, which course would you go back to and play again?
It would have to be the Old Course, have played it once and would love to go back. Also, I once played just outside Melbourne with borrowed clubs and was learning the game at the time, would be great to go back there and play it again now.
- What is your choice of golf ball and why?
Like so many Golfers the ProV1 is the ball for me, plus Hertfordshire supply me with these for matches too.
- What’s the longest iron in your bag?
7 iron
- How many wedges do you carry?
4 Wedges: PW, Gap, SW, Lob Wedge
- Is there a memorable shot that you play over in your mind, can be yours or a player you watched famous or not?
Whilst playing in an Invitation Day at Hadley Wood GC, towards the end of the round on a par 3 I managed to hit it to just 6 inches, the nearest to a hole in one I have ever been and proceeded to miss the putt….. We missed out on 1st Prize by a shot. But all was not lost as the 2nd Prize was more to our liking. Still waiting for that first hole in 1 though.
- When was the last time you took a lesson?
August, just for a tidy up
- What’s the last thing you watched on Netflix / Streamed?
Emily in Paris, The Diplomat and Bad Sisters
- Facebook / Twitter or Instagram?
Instagram and Facebook marketplace
- Kindle or the feel of a book?
Both and big fan of audio books and podcasts, especially golf ones such as “The Chipping Forecast” and “No Laying up”
- Golf Holiday or a get away from golf?
A mix really but I do like to have my golf clubs with me when away. Last holiday was to Italy and the Cilento Coast.
- And finally, what would be your message to someone considering Volunteering with the County?
I really would encourage everyone to get involved. You get some great experiences and meet interesting people from all walks of life. It really does broaden the mind.
Interviewer: Thanks so much for your time ….. , I am sure you will continue to be a great ambassador and asset to the great county of Hertfordshire and let’s hope we can encourage others to follow in your “spikes” and become Hertfordshire Volunteers.
If you are interested in learning more about the county, check out the webpage
