Skip to content
    • Tour Homepage
    • PGA Tour
    • LIV Golf
    • DP World Tour
    • LPGA
    • LET
    • The Masters
    • The Open
    • The Players
    • US Open
    • PGA Championship
    • Ryder Cup
    • Solheim Cup
    • WITB
    • Betting
    • News
    • Features
    • Equipment Homepage
    • Reviews
    • Drivers
    • Fairway Woods
    • Hybrids
    • Irons
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Golf Balls
    • DMDs
    • Apparel
    • Shoes
    • Trolleys
    • Features
    • News
  • Buying Advice
    • Rules
    • WHS
    • Features
    • News
    • Instruction Homepage
    • Driving Tips
    • Long Game
    • Iron Play
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Learn from the pros
    • Course Management
    • Fitness
    • Mental Game
    • Nutrition
  • Giveaways
    • Top 100 Rankings
    • Travel
    • Top 100s Tour
    • Society Guide
    • NCG Golf Podcast
    • NCG Top 100s Podcast
    • Your Golf Podcast by NCG
  • Magazine
    • Why walking is how golf is meant to be played
    • Why walking is the only way to truly appreciate a golf course
National Club GolferNational Club Golfer Logo
  • TourHas submenu items

    Tour Homepage

    • PGA Tour
    • LIV Golf
    • DP World Tour
    • LPGA
    • LET
    • The Masters
    • The Open
    • The Players
    • US Open
    • PGA Championship
    • Ryder Cup
    • Solheim Cup
    • WITB
    • Betting
    • News
    • Features
  • EquipmentHas submenu items

    Equipment Homepage

    • Reviews
    • Drivers
    • Fairway Woods
    • Hybrids
    • Irons
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Golf Balls
    • DMDs
    • Apparel
    • Shoes
    • Trolleys
    • Features
    • News
  • Buying Advice
  • ClubHas submenu items
    • Rules
    • WHS
    • Features
    • News
  • InstructionHas submenu items

    Instruction Homepage

    • Driving Tips
    • Long Game
    • Iron Play
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Learn from the pros
    • Course Management
    • Fitness
    • Mental Game
    • Nutrition
  • Giveaways
  • CoursesHas submenu items
    • Top 100 Rankings
    • Travel
    • Top 100s Tour
    • Society Guide
  • PodcastsHas submenu items
    • NCG Golf Podcast
    • NCG Top 100s Podcast
    • Your Golf Podcast by NCG
  • Magazine
  • The Joy of WalkingHas submenu items
    • Why walking is how golf is meant to be played
    • Why walking is the only way to truly appreciate a golf course

Sign up here for our newsletter and you'll never slice a drive again. Promise.

Newsletter sign up

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
National Club Golfer Logo

© 2026 National Club Golfer | 2 Arena Park, Tam Lane, LS17 9BF

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Meet the NCG Team
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
Country: gb Page generated at: Monday, 15 June 2026 at 3:25:17 British Summer Time
club
Features
Is this Britain’s youngest golf club member?

published: Apr 2, 2020

|

updated: Sep 12, 2024

Is this Britain’s youngest golf club member?

Steve CarrollLink

FacebookXInstagramYouTubePodcast0 comments

Five-month-old ‘Freddie’ paid his first annual subscription to keep Welsh club Vale of Llangollen going through the coronavirus crisis

Vale of Llangollen

We’ve all heard tales of golf’s early starters but this tiny prodigy must be setting some kind of record. Vale of Llangollen have announced their youngest new member – five-month-old ‘Freddie’.

The tot paid his first annual subscription at the North Wales club, with the help of his parents, to support chiefs as they try to steer a path through the coronavirus pandemic.

Vale of Llangollen had already showed their support for members, asking for the same in return, when they offered a 15-month deal to renew.

And many stalwarts have already contacted the club to confirm they will be paying their subscriptions to help keep the course going for Freddie and the other “inspiring” juniors.

  • Related: Brora back from the brink after ‘overwhelming’ backing
  • Related: The club coming to the aid of its isolated members
  • Related: It’s golf – but not as we know it

Club manager Hayley Henson said: “This marvellous gesture was from one of our newer members who sees the benefit in helping to keep our wonderful club buoyant during these troubling times.

“Like virtually every other golf club in the UK, we face a battle for our survival caused entirely by Covid-19.

“Of course it is sometimes difficult to balance the needs of our employees, our membership and the need to maintain the course ready for its eventual reopening set against our present financial limitations.

“We are, literally, taking a week-by-week approach but have the flexibility to immediately react to changes outside of our control.

“Thankfully we have a truly wonderful membership who continue to support every initiative we offer and, with the proactive approach of our fantastic Board, we WILL be one that survives.”

Does your club have a younger member than Freddie at Vale of Llangollen? How are you helping your club get through the pandemic? Let me know in the comments or tweet me.

Thanks for stopping by.

We wondered if you might like to contribute to supporting our journalism?

As the world enters uncharted waters, we’d like to be able to keep our content open for all to entertain and inform in the months ahead.

Advertisement

We’d like to think we are the voice of the ordinary golfer the world over. Whether your interest is in the game from tour level to grassroots, the latest equipment, or independent course rankings, we’ve got you covered.

If you want to read more about how you can help us and to donate, please CLICK HERE.

About the author

Steve Carroll
Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

Twitter

Comments (0)

Leave a Comment

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

What's Popular

Three golfers on the tee | Source: Adobe Stock

WHS allows you to play from different tees in competitions – so why do some golf clubs still ignore this?

By Max Mcvittie | May 28, 2026

Read full article WHS allows you to play from different tees in competitions – so why do some golf clubs still ignore this?
Blank golf cards on the tournament table | Source: Adobe Stock World Handicap System

Should competition scores be the only ones that count for handicap?

By Steve Carroll | Jun 11, 2026

Read full article Should competition scores be the only ones that count for handicap?

Discover the Best Golf Gloves 2026 for Maximum Grip and Comfort

By Max Mcvittie | May 24, 2026

Read full article Discover the Best Golf Gloves 2026 for Maximum Grip and Comfort
Bryson DeChambeau at LIV Golf Korea | Source: LIV Golf

Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?

By Matt Chivers | Jun 10, 2026

Read full article Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?

Best Golf Balls for Seniors 2026: Distance and feel for those with slower swing speeds

By Max Mcvittie | May 22, 2026

Read full article Best Golf Balls for Seniors 2026: Distance and feel for those with slower swing speeds
Dustin Johnson. Peter Uihlein and Branden Grace | Source: LIV Golf

How much has each LIV golfer made compared to their PGA Tour earnings?

By Matt Chivers | Jun 10, 2026

Read full article How much has each LIV golfer made compared to their PGA Tour earnings?

Best Budget Irons 2026

By | Mar 5, 2026

Read full article Best Budget Irons 2026
Major champion Aaron Rai | Source: Getty Images

Who is PGA Champion Aaron Rai?

By Matt Coles | Jul 1, 2024

Read full article Who is PGA Champion Aaron Rai?
Best Golf Balls 2026 | Source: NCG

Best Golf Balls 2026: The Ultimate Guide for Every Swing Speed and Handicap!

By Max Mcvittie | May 27, 2026

Read full article Best Golf Balls 2026: The Ultimate Guide for Every Swing Speed and Handicap!
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND - JULY 17: Cameron Smith of Australia celebrates after putting on the 18th green during Day Four of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 17, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

At £190, has The Open Championship crossed the line and become too expensive?

By Matt Chivers | Jun 4, 2026

Read full article At £190, has The Open Championship crossed the line and become too expensive?
richest golfers of all time

Who are the richest golfers of all time?

By Matt Chivers | Oct 1, 2025

Read full article Who are the richest golfers of all time?
foursomes Golfers at a green | Source: Adobe Stock

What does ‘equity’ mean in the World Handicap System?

By Steve Carroll | May 21, 2026

Read full article What does ‘equity’ mean in the World Handicap System?