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 senior captain while Keith Elliott (Kirby Muxloe) was re-elected as county senior 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.