Club managers: Browning calls time on Low Laithes stay

It won’t be the same at Low Laithes. For many members, and those who have played the Yorkshire course, Paul Browning immediately comes to mind.

After 45 years at the Ossett club, he has decided to retire – and the tributes have been flooding in. After a spell as assistant at Garforth, Browning joined Low Laithes as the club professional in 1971.

In 2002, he extended his role by taking on the job of secretary/manager. The year before, he was elected as club captain as he racked up three decades of service.

He has given countless lessons to members and visitors, seen huge changes in the membership and mastered many changes to the running of the club.

Browning was also elected president of the Leeds and District Union of Golf Clubs last year, and handed the professional reins at Low Laithes over to Adrian Ambler.

To mark his dedicated service, the club have conferred honorary membership upon him. They have also organised a testimonial day in August, where he will be joined by members, friends and professionals.

Captain John Holt said: “In the roles he has undertaken he has given exceptional levels of service and commitment which has seen him revered by his peers throughout the UK.”

Browning added: “My time at Low Laithes has seen me through ‘late puberty’, ‘mature adulthood’, fatherhood and now ‘grandfather hood’ to the stage in my life I never thought would happen – retirement!

“Low Laithes has been my life for the last 45 years. I look forward to enjoying my membership of Low Laithes to the full.”

Tom Irwin

Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.