New captains at Rothley Park
ROTHLEY PARK golf club has hosted its annual “Putting Out and Driving In” ceremony where the 2021 captains took their final putts to close their time as captains on the 18th hole and the incoming 2022 captains drove off down the fairway on the 1st hole.
The new men’s captain is Simon Green, taking over from Alan Dorn. Simon joined the club 15 years ago having finished his cricketing days at Rothley CC.
His family have been involved with Rothley Park for many years with his mother Glenys being both a past captain and past lady president, and his brother, Jimmy, a former regular member of the club scratch team. His mother and father for several years also ran the bridge section of the club.
He said: “Playing a wonderful sport with like-minded people on an excellent track provides a great escape from the rigours of work and the world.
“I love the ‘club feel’ at Rothley Park, and it is an honour to now be in a position to be able to ‘give something back’ as well as be an ambassador for the gents section of the club.
“The club is in a great place at the moment - the course is becoming the envy of the county. I intend to encourage the men’s section to enjoy their golf and seeing people play at Rothley Park with a smile on their faces will be marvellous. I am also looking forward to supporting Libby as we share a special year together as captain and if we happen to have some fun along the way it will be a great bonus!”
Libby Carter, who has played golf for over 30 years, joined Rothley Park in 2010 having previously been a member at Breedon Priory G.C. and then Willesley Park G.C.
She succeeds Jenny Piecha in the role.
Libby said: “I was lady captain at Breedon Priory in 1992. I have always played sports, in my school days representing Derbyshire at both netball and hockey. I started playing golf with a half set of clubs in the early 1980s.
“Golf is a sport that challenges in so many ways - you play against the course, fellow competitors and yourself. I moved to Rothley to join some dear friends who are members. As a working lady, it is great to be at a progressive golf club with regular weekend competitions.
“Like Simon, I hope to encourage everyone to enjoy their golf and to see members with smiles on their faces. I’m also looking forward to supporting Simon and sharing a special year together as 2022 captains”.
The captains have chosen a joint charity for their year in office, The Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation, as they both felt they wanted their charity to be a “club charity” and importantly to support something local.
The Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation is based at Ulverscroft and supports all ages in the community through the provision of support, wellbeing, education and therapy. Not only are they hoping to raise some additional funds for the charity they are also hoping members will help the charity further by giving up some of their time by volunteering at Ulverscroft – to help with a specific project, the details of which are yet to be agreed.
The 2022 junior captain is 15 year old Ben Brownhill. Ben started golf when he was eight and joined Rothley Park four years ago, already achieving an enviable 17 handicap.
Ben said: “I’m looking forward to organising the junior golf section throughout the season with competitive and fun competitions. We currently have over 40 junior members, which is great.”
The men’s senior captain is Ken Earp. There are over 100 “senior” gents signed up to play casual and competitive golf in 2022 with some 14 matches against senior men from clubs across the region. The senior men support the junior section with the proceeds of various competitions.
Ken explains that the social side of the senior men’s section is an important aspect for the group: “The social side is also enhanced by organised away days. We also have a couple of Christmas fun competitions and a Christmas lunch and the annual match against the ladies! Although the social side is important there is also a competitive edge as well.”
There is also a new men’s president, Ian Agar and ladies president, Susie Tyler, both former captains of the club.
The presidents each serve a twoyear term in office and bring a wealth of experience from past club positions. They succeed Robin Laurie and Gilly Clear.