Opportunity knocks for lady members

ANN WALSH, of Saddleworth Golf Club

SADDLEWORTH lady captain Ann Walsh is hoping to see many more female faces at the Mountain Ash course over the next 12 months or so.

An important management decision during the close season decreed that free membership should be offered to new lady golfers interested in taking up the game.

That appears to have paid off so far, with more than 50 new members signing up.

Ann said: "I figured it was very important that we tried to get the lady member numbers up, and I'm happy to say that the management and club committee were very supportive.

"Now we're having all these new ladies getting involved at the course and it's lovely to see. This is a super opportunity to get into the game.

'LESSONS'

"Some are having golf lessons, working towards a handicap, so hopefully if they continue to enjoy their time with us, we'll see these ladies sign up to become full members in 2018.

"Our club has so much to offer."

Ann took up golf at Saddleworth in 1994 after meeting husband John.

A former PE and geography teacher at the Grange School, Ann - whose parents had been members at Oldham for many years - has played regularly ever since.

She likes to get out on the course two or three times a week, including of course on a Thursday - ladies' day.

Ann has enjoyed some success in competition golf at Saddleworth, but the 25-handicapper's undoubted career highlights have been two dream holes-in-one.

"I've had one hole-in-one at Saddleworth and one in America," beamed Ann.

"At Saddleworth in 2002, it was a very wet, cold and miserable Thursday and I took my tee shot on the blind par three 10th.

"We just couldn't find my ball, so when we noticed it was in the hole it was amazing.

"The three of us were wet through, but we completed our rounds and I handed my card in with the one on it!

'HOLIDAY'

"My other hole-in-one came during a round in Florida at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club in 2006, while we were on holiday.

"I saw that ball roll into the hole, and earned a place in America's 'Acer Club' as a result."

Ann, who has two daughters and two granddaughters, is joining ranks with Saddleworth's Mr Captain, Dean Jagger, in supporting Dr Kershaw's with fundraising events this year.