THE WAY THEY WERE: 1952 - FIRST GB AND I TEAM TO WIN THE CURTIS CUP

 Pictured are the Great Britain and Ireland team of  at the 1952 Curtis Cup match at Muirfield. Lady Katherine Cairns was captain of the home team who beat the United States 5-4 over two days' play at the East Lothian venue.
In those days the games were over 36 holes - three foursomes on the first day (which GB and I won 2-1) and six singles on the second day (3-3).
It was the first time GB and I had beaten the Americans in this the seventh Curtis Cup of the biennial series which was not played during the World War II years.
Gillian Kirkwood, an authority of women's amateur golf history, has provided the picture caption:
Back row (left to right): Philomena Garvey (Ireland), Frances Stephens (England), Jessie Valentine (Scotland), Moira Paterson (Scotland), Elizabeth Price (England).
Front row (l to r): Jean Donald, Lady Katherine Cairns (captain), Kitty McCann (Ireland), Jeanne Bisgood (England).
 "Kitty McCann was in the team but did not play, due to illness, I understand," says Gillian.
Jeanne Bisgood is believed to be the oldest surviving Curtis Cup player from either side of the Atlantic.Hard to be believe but Jessie Valentine was the GB and I player left out of the second-day singles. Jeanne Bisgood did not play in the first-day foursomes.
One of the most striking differences between the picture of the 1952 GB and I team above and the one below of the 2012 team is the absence of the smart LGU blazers on the team of 70 years ago.

Ireland's Philomena Garvey was selected seven times for Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup teams between 1948 and 1960. She was on the winning side in 1952 and 1956.
In 1958 she withdrew from the event in protest against the Union Jack, the national flag of the United Kingdom, being the sole emblem on the team sweaters. 
The Ladies Golf Union changed the emblem for the 1960 Curtis Cup and thereafter.

E-MAILS IN RESPONSE TO EARLIER REQUEST FOR HELP IN PUTTING NAMES TO FACES IN THE ABOVE PICTURE;

Colin,

I think a lot of people will recognise Elizabeth Price, end right of back row with hand in pocket. She was a lovely person and active in golf when I was a junior (1960s and 1970s).  I seem to remember she worked as a journalist for Fairway and Hazard.  Viv Saunders will know.  

I knew Frances or Bunty Smith as she was always known.  She was a great person and the best golfer  I have ever known.  Thanks for this great photo.  Penny Thompson

Colin

Mrs. P J McCann (known as "Kitty"), a member of  Tullamore Golf Club, Ireland, was a reserve.

Dorothy Lloyd (nee Hulme)

Rosemarkie.

 

... and the GB and I team who won the Curtis Cup match at Nairn Golf Club in June 2012

Back row (left to right): Anna Hubbard (team manager), Charley Hull (England), Pamela Pretswell (Scotland), Holly Clyburn (England), Leona Maguire (Ireland).
Front row (l to r): Bronte Law (England), Kelly Tidy (England), Tegwen Matthews (team captain), Amy Boulden (Wales), Stephanie Meadow (Ireland).
Eight-a-side, played over 18-hole matches and three days, GB and I won 10 1/2-9 1/2 in a nail-biting finish to regain the Curtis Cup after a period of dominance by the United States who won seven matches in a row after GB and I's 1996 success at Killarney.