“In 1935, Joyce Wethered, then near the end of her very famous career as the foremost woman golfer in the world, extended her successful tour of the United States with an exhibition match on the Victoria course. She had won the British Ladies’ Open Championship four times and the English Ladies’ Championship five times. In this case, once again, her visit was made possible by the generosity of Ernie Todd, who not only paid the shot [$300.00], but laid on a dinner for her and selected guests at the Union Club.
Joyce Wethered was partnered by Joe Pryke, the Colwood Pro, against VGC member Marjorie Todd, and VGC Pro, Phil Taylor. Watched by a large crowd, Todd and Taylor won the match 2 up.”
Three quotes may illustrate Joyce’s prowess:
Bobby Jones: "I have not played golf with anyone, man or woman, amateur or professional, who made me feel so utterly outclassed."
Willie Wilson, Scottish Pro: "Good swing? My God, man, she could hit a ball 240 yards on the fly while standing barefoot on a cake of ice."
Brent Kelley: “Wethered first gained prominence when, at age 19, she defeated English great Cecil Leitch to win the 1920 English Women's Amateur title. Wethered sank a putt on the final hole of the match for the victory. It was a hole adjacent to train tracks, and a train sped past as Wethered was [bending] over her putt. She was asked afterward how she was able to make the putt with the distraction of the train. She replied, "What train?"
In her post-golf life Joyce Wethered went by her married name, Lady Heathcote-Amory.
Phil Taylor was an experienced golfer with appearances at twelve British Open Championships before he came to Canada. In August 1931, when the VGC course measured 5614 yards, Phil shot 27 on the front nine and 34 on the back for a record 61.