Union makes history with first annual meeting held via zoom
LEICESTERSHIRE and Rutland County Golf Union’s annual meeting was held by Zoom for the first time ever in the 111-year history of the organisation, writes Jennifer Prentice.
Phil Askew (Rothley Park) was elected county president in succession to Richard Barker (Longcliffe), who has held the position for two years, following in the footsteps of his enthusiastic golfer father.
Barker’s second year came at an extremely difficult time because of the Covid pandemic.
However, the county managed to play most of their fixtures, including men’s, juniors and seniors championships, together with inter-club foursomes and scratch league clashes.
This was all achieved while working within government restrictions and safeguarding measures during the past year. This is in sharp contrast to many other counties whose programmes were decimated.
Askew is a former club captain at his home club Rothley Park, and he was also re-elected as the secretary of the county’s inter-club scratch league. He is a county referee, too.
He will be the county’s voting member at England Golf and at the Midland Golf Union meetings.
One of Barker’s final duties was to announce the winner of the coveted Donald Cameron Trophy at the annual meeting, but the award will be presented at the next annual county dinner.
This is awarded annually to the person who has made an outstandimg contribution to county amateur golf in Leicestershire and Rutland in the previous 12 months.
It is judged by the reigning county president, county captain and secretary.
Kevin Whitfield-Green, above, the county director of tournaments, was announced as the winner. Barker congratulated him on his tenacity and commitment in managing to stage as many of the county’s 2020 championships in a Covid-secure environment, especially during the Leicester lockdown.
Whitfield-Green said: “The announcement came as a complete surprise. But I was delighted by the kind words and expressions of appreciation that I received. I feel honoured to be awarded the Cameron Trophy.”
The new president-elect is Frank Lock (Humberstone Heights).
He is the only surviving founder member of this Leicester City Council-run course which affiliated to the county union in the 1977 season when it opened for play.
James Billingham (Cosby) continues as county captain and is hoping for a rapid return to inter-county championships and matches.
Among these will be the Eastern Counties Foursomes and the England Golf Midland tournament.
Jay Sheridan (Lutterworth) is the county second team captain.
Both he and Billingham have yet to lead their county sides in Anglian League matches, so their first year in the captaincy roles has been very disappointing for them both.
John Hardwick (Rothley Park) has succeeded Alan Turton (Ullesthorpe
Court) as county while Keith Elliott was re-elected as director.
Barker’s involvement continues with his post as greenkeeper and course liaison officer.
He is a former chairman of BIGGA – the British and International Golf Greenkeeper’s Association – so he has a wealth of experience and expertise to bring to the task.
County vice-presidents are Chris Hilton (The Leicestershire), Professor Robin Fraser CBE (The Leicestershire), Bob Whowell (Rothley Park), David Mayfield (Rothley Park), Ian Middleton (Glen Gorse), Graham Fox (Lingdale), Tony Beasley (Hinckley), Brian Tuttle (Humberstone Heights) and Stuart Marriott (Birstall).
John Fairbrother (Cosby) is first team vice-captain and Oliver Willson (Rothley Park), a former county first team captain, is second team vice-captain. senior captain (Kirby Muxloe) county senior
EARL SHILTON Town CC has unveiled plans for a special Presidents Day in July where the club will stage a special Keats Lane Centenary Celebration.
It will take place on Sunday, July 4, and cricket action will start at 11am when LCCC Girls U11’s will play an inter-club game.
Then Earl Shilton will face an Old South Leicestershire League Representative Team in a T20 game at 1pm and the winners of that will face the LCCC Academy side in a T20 final around 5pm.
Chairman Mick Coe said: “Earl Shilton Town CC and Barwell CC were instrumental in the formation of the South Leicestershire League in 1896.
“And 25 years later in 1921 we purchased our Keats Lane ground and feel our plans for the celebration day will honour the fantastic work that so many people have done for our club over its more than 200 year history (founded 1815) both playing and non-playing members and also as a thanks to all those businesses and individuals locally who have contributed to our success.
“We are still here and intend to be in the next 200 years!
“We intend to hold our own academy activities around and in between the cricket action to ensure the younger ones are involved.
“And we also intend to raise funds on the day towards the NHS as we had hoped to have done last season and now have the opportunity to do so.
“I would like the whole ground to be buzzing on the day with something happening at all times from games, to coaching young ones and generally celebrating our historical day.”