Cheshire golfer Shortlisted for top award

Judith Sandford, from Cheadle Golf Club, is one of four finalists for the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award. 

The winner will be announced at a gala dinner, hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker, at the Royal Lancaster London on Thursday, 21 March. 

Judith, who has undertaken many roles at the club, was nominated for the way she has revived the women’s section.  

Back in 2012/13, when Judith was ladies’ vice-captain, she realised that membership was declining and feared that section would fizzle out in five years. 

But in the last six years, she’s helped introduce 60-70 women to golf, and over half have joined the club, making the section a vigorous, growing group. 

She got together with the club’s professional to launch Get into Golf beginner lessons and create a pathway into membership for the new golfers, working with a new group of beginners every six months.  

She deals with all the admin, organises rules evening and competitions and encourages the beginners to get out on the course as quickly as possible. 

Jacquie Popplewell, the 2019/20 Lady Captain, was a member of Judith’s first beginner group. She said: “Without Judith’s passion to get ladies playing golf, her enthusiasm, patience, encouragement and commitment to help me play golf, I would not have had the smooth transition from total beginner to competitive golf and would certainly not be Lady Captain.”

Judith’s challengers for the title are: 

Mark Feeney from West Derby Golf Club, Liverpool, who has revitalised the junior section in just a couple of years growing the membership from a handful of players to over 40 – and attracting some parents as members.

Susanne Lesley and Owen Davis from Royal Ascot Golf Club, Berkshire. They created and run the club’s buddy scheme and have smoothed the way for over 200 new members.

Marcella Tuttle, from The Links Golf Club, Newmarket, whose academy programme for women has attracted 60 new players to try the game – and inspired 40 club members to act as buddies to support them. 

England Golf Chief Executive Nick Pink said: “These volunteers are quite exceptional. They put in countless hours to help other people have a great golfing experience and our game is the richer for them, and the many thousands of other volunteers across England who do the same.” 

Tickets for the England Golf Awards black tie dinner cost just £90 per person and include a drinks reception and a three-course dinner with wine. More information at www.englandgolfawards.org 

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