Karen becomes a driving force

Photo: Darren Robinson

Karen Heywood keeps her hands in on the fairway.

GOLF: 

WHEN Brookdale Golf Club appointed Karen Heywood as its new professional in March of this year, some may have considered it a gamble.

Club members the length and breadth of Britain had long been used to seeing a man behind the counter of their pro shop. But 38-year-old mother of two Karen, the only female club professional in the North-West, has been a spectacular success at the popular parkland course in the Woodhouses area of Failsworth.

She said: “The members here have been really good and have taken to me, which was one of my worries.

“This is a working-class men’s club with only about 18 women members so I was really throwing myself into it, but they all have been absolutely amazing.”

Her verdict was backed by 84-year-old George Burns, a Brookdale member for nearly six decades, who said: “The club was on a downslope, but she has really livened it up. She has introduced a lot of competitions and is very well thought of. The members here love her.”

Karen was previously at Crompton and Royton, where she was assistant to professional Martin Beaty.

She was on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter Jessica when she saw the Brookdale post advertised following long-standing Tony Cupello’s decision to leave.

“I thought I would put in my CV and just see where I fitted,” she said. “Then I ended up with the job and it was panic stations. My mum Rita said she was prepared to look after Jessica, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to manage, but it’s worked out well and I absolutely love it.”

Karen enjoyed a happy working relationship with Beaty, but is clearly relishing the extra responsibility of her new post: “It’s nice being your own boss,” she laughed. “I have my own ideas and how to implement them, and everything is done how I like it to be.”

That includes new Wednesday competitions and “Winter Warmers” which produce an order of merit table.

Karen is now determined to boost interest among women and youngsters, and the acquisition of Golfmark status, hopefully next year, will help on both fronts.

Karen’s extra responsibilities in recent years have had an impact on her playing but, despite her lack of practice, she still manages to compete in some WPGA events.

Clearly, Karen’s golfing priority is Brookdale rather than her own own playing ambitions and a long association with the club looks on the cards.

“You never say never, but at the moment, yes, I am very happy here,” she confirmed.