East Midlands Round-up: Norfolk winner of stewards’ trophy
Samantha Hudson, from Swaffam in Norfolk, has been named the Fuller’s London Pride Golf Steward of the Year.
Hudson, who is planning to run a marathon this year to raise fund’s for the club’s charity of the year, was named as the 2014 winner of England Golf’s top title for golf club stewards at a presentation lunch at The Counting House in London.
“Wow,” said Hudson. “This means the world to me, I can’t think of anywhere better to work.
‘This means the world to me’ “I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me and especially to thank my team. I couldn’t do it without their support. This is for everyone who helps run the clubhouse and who also goes the extra mile.”
Hudson was also a regional winner in 2012 and is in her fourth year at Swaffham. A mother of two with a background in accountancy, she originally took a job at the club for a few hours a week, but when her predecessor left she was asked to take over.
Swaffham’s 2014 captain, Gordon Halewood, was one of the first to congratulate her. He said: “This is wonderful news for an amazing lady. Sam is the life and soul of the social side of the club, she’s so bubbly and an excellent organiser.”
Hudson heads the club’s social committee and is very keen for club activities to appeal to all sections and to involve younger members from the local airbase.
She stepped up the charity events at the club last year, which raised over £7,000, and was involved when the club held its first PGA East Region pro-am by organising a halfway house with drinks for the players.
The other regional winners who were up for the grand prize included: David Guest of Halesowen, Worcestershire; David Prior of Blackley, Lancashire; and Kevin Brown of Sherborne, Dorset.
England Golf chief executive David Joy said: “I congratulate you all for the great work you are doing. I know you are going above and beyond and it’s no surprise that the golf clubs represented today are all growing. When you have a very active and successful steward, it’s equally likely that you have a committee and owner who are right behind them.”
Cambidge charity holding disabled golf day
A Cambridge charity is holding a golf day in May to encourage disabled and non-disabled people to play sport together.
The first event of its kind in the city, Cambridge Festival of Inclusive Golf is being organised in conjunction with the Cambridgeshire County Golf Partnership.
The event will be held at Cambridge Lakes and is being hosted by charity Power2Inspire and more than 70 golfers are expected to take part.
The charity was founded by disabled father-of-two John Willis in 2013 after competing with two non-disabled friends in a triathlon relay, where they raised £20,000.
“I am overjoyed that the first Festival of Inclusive Golf is to be here in Cambridge, an area that I love and have lived in for nearly 20 years,” the 54-year-old, who was born without fully-formed arms or legs, told the Cambridge News. “One of the sports I am really passionate about is golf – I can hit the ball straight but not very far – so it will be great fun to be involved in a day when all abilities are encouraged to play, to have fun and see what they can do, rather than worry about what they can’t.”
The event takes place on May 15.
For more golf news, discussion and videos follow @NCGmagazine on Twitter, like us on Facebook, subscribe to our YouTube video channel, and sign up to our newsletter
