Tributes to golf stalwart Joan

Former Oldham Ladies Golf Association president, Joan Hirst

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Oldham Ladies Golf Association president Joan Hirst, who has died, aged 88.

The widow of Chronicle director and journalist Harry, who died in May last year, Joan passed away on New Year’s Eve while on a three-week Mediterranean cruise with her family.

A keen badminton player in her early years, Joan took up golf in the 1970s when she joined Werneth Golf Club. She went on to be Lady Captain in 1985.

For years she and Harry, who were married for 62 years and lived in Grasscroft, ran the Oldham Chronicle Ladies Cup and were instrumental in setting up OLGA at the turn of the century to organise that competition and other events in the Oldham golfing calendar.

Joan finally stood down as president in 2009, shortly before Harry’s death.

Marjorie Bray, secretary of OLGA, said: “She was very firm but had a great interest in golf. She had a very good heart. Joan never failed to come along to the Chronicle Cup and was keen to be involved, she attended every event going.

“Even last year, Harry had died in the same week but she still came and heard all the tributes.”

The golfing stalwart even donated a major trophy to the group and set up the Joan Hirst Charity Cup, which saw ladies play each year to raise up to £500 a time for varying causes.

Marjorie said: “She and Harry were the inspiration for the group and did a lot for ladies golf.

“She was a wonderful person and everybody will think of her lovingly.”