Karen goes back to her golfing roots

Karen Heywood is delighted to return to Crompton and Royton Golf Club, the place where she began her successful career in golf.

She has been a very innovative and popular professional at Brookdale for the best part of the last ten years, and is looking forward to her new role at C&R with great anticipation.

Karen outlined her career, successes and highlights from beginning to now.

She said: “I started playing golf at the age of 15 and my biggest influencer has been my Dad - he played off five handicap for over 30 years and has given me the knowledge and self-confidence I have today, so thank you Dad!

“I soon progressed to play with and for Lancashire girls and with this competition I was able to improve enough to enter National and open scratch competitions.

“I played for England schools, Lancashire schools and Lancashire girls moving on to play for Lancashire ladies being twice successful in the county week finals and being champions of England.

“I won the Formby Leveret and Birkdale scratch 36 hole events on the same weekend and defended the Birkdale scratch the following year, I also in this period won the English intermediate championship at Frilford Heath.

“I was also member of two winning Bell Cup teams for C&R and hold the ladies course record at C&R, which still stands from 2009.

“I enjoyed my time at Brookdale and I am grateful for the chance they gave me to become a head professional.

“I have many fond memories and made many friends my job there was made easier by having along standing member Maureen Parker help me in the shop for the nine and a half years I was there - she was fantastic to have by my side.

“My return to C&R was a decision made easier with the great amount of support both before and after my appointment as I was asked by a lot of members from all categories if I was going to apply when the vacancy was announced.

“Since my appointment I have had many messages from members offering their full support and congratulations.

“I have plans to get the practice range up and running I have already refurbished the swing room and along with my assistants, we are able to offer lessons and club fitting and ball fitting with computer data and video analysis.

“I have working with me, to provide first class customer satisfaction and a friendly welcome, two PGA professionals -they are Ross and Carina.

"They are doing junior coaching sessions every Monday and are looking to grow the junior section in the coming months.”

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