It was a case of watch the birdie when Roma Wilcock drove in as the new ladies' captain of Frilford Heath.

The proceeds of £400 from the drive-in day, which included a lunch, were donated to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' project at Otmoor.

Roma, who plays off a handicap of eight, has been a great supporter of the ladies' section since joining Frilford in 1976.

She captained and played in successful 'Mail on Sunday' teams, winning a place in the finals at The Belfry, twice, and the grand final in France, once.

Although never winning the club championship - she was runner-up once - Roma has collected a fair number of honours.

She won the club's mixed foursomes title with her husband, Bob, in 1979, the Andrew Walsh Cup for five successive years, and the Scratch Knock-out compet- ition in 2001.

She has also played for the Oxfordshire Ladies second team.

In addition, she has served on the club's committee as county representative, press secretary and treasurer.

Roma, who lives at Southmoor, near Abingdon, was born in Derbyshire.

She and Bob have two sons, one of whom, Richard, is a five-handicap member of Frilford.

After moving from Northamptonshire to Oxford in the mid-1970s, Roma worked in the bursary of University College, for Oxonian Travel Services and Oxford University Careers Service before retiring.

Her charity for the year will be Vale House, the Alzheimer's home in Botley.

Frilford's new men's captain, Pete Dier, drives into office on Sunday at noon.