Isobel Roe

Isobel Roe was one of the most successful British ladies’ skiers in the periods before and after World War II. She won the British combined title in 1938, and the flowing year won the combined and slalom titles. The War years put a hold on any further titles and, during the hostilities, she served with the W.R.N.S. (Women’s Royal Naval Service). After the War, she lost her British combined title to Bunty Greenland in 1947, but regained it, and the slalom title, in 1948, and won both titles again the follow year. Roe represented Great Britain at the 1937 World Championships in Chamonix, and in 1939 at Zakopane, Poland. She was captain of the British ladies’ team at the 1948 Olympics. An excellent croquet player, she played tournament croquet from 1959-76 and won the Women’s Championship in 1961, taking the title from the defending champion, Joan Warwick, with Roe winning eight of her 11 matches. The family had a rich sporting heritage as her father was Commander R. C. T. Roe, the secretary of the PGA from 1934-62, and also manager of several Great Britain Ryder Cup teams before and after World War II.