The Manchester and District Ladies Golf Association was founded in 1902 and now has well over 80 clubs affiliated with many of them from Cheshire.
The CCLGA and the MDLGA formed close links several years ago and have enjoyed a great relationship since then.
Jill Rose (pictured) has been a very active member of Ringway Golf Club for the past 30 years and the Manchester and District Ladies Golf Association since 2012,
She is delighted to have been chosen as the President of the MDLGA (the biggest organisation of its kind for ladies golf in the region) for the coming busy year.
Jill outlined her time in golf over the years: “I had a serious stroke in 1988 and found that I wasn`t fit to return to my previous job of teaching Ballet but wanted to do something with myself.
“I had issues with my right side of my body -so I thought of golf, having had a few lessons in the past.
“I joined Northenden GC in 1990, having broken my wrist in the January, as they didn`t have a waiting list.
“I was on the waiting list at Ringway up until 1994 when I joined in the July. The ladies there were very welcoming to a new member.
“I had group lessons most years pre season from Ringway pros Nick Ryan and James Salt and then Dan Whittaker was recommended by a friend from Sale Golf Club. He has been brilliant with me and became my son-in-law after I told my daughter to have some lessons from him! I tell people he teaches elite golfers and his mother-in-law!
“I was asked to go on the social committee in 1998 and continued in this role until 2013 arranging the flowers for events, booking the bands and liaising with our caterers.
“I was requested to go on the ladies committee also for a time and was invited to be the Lady Captain for 2012. Queen Elizabeth`s Diamond Jubilee year.
“MDLGA were making requests for committee members after that and I spoke with the two ladies who had been on the committee before from the club and they said it was a great committee to be on.
“So I put my name forward and was accepted. It turned out be a very good committee to be on with other like-minded ladies from all over the area.
“So after a rest year as they recruit from the south and the north of Manchester alternately, I went ahead and asked to serve again for another three years.
“After that I was asked if I could arrange Ringway Senior ladies matches and have done so for a few years.
“I am looking forward to my year with the Bell Cup Final involving over around 80 clubs ladies teams in a thrilling match-play knock-out competition with Ringway hosting the finals day next September on the 12thand the Challenge Cup Competition in July 2026.
“I was completely shocked to have been considered for President and I will do my best for the ladies in the coming year.
“Attending all the competitions next year and acting as starter for them is something I am looking forward to. The five competitions are all well supported.
“I am in awe of those ladies who started the Association so long ago when women didn`t seem to do many things in sport.
“It started with 20 members in 1902 and has grown into 83 clubs registered to play in our competitions. “All eligible clubs must be within a 25 mile radius of Manchester Town Hall!
“Golf for ladies is certainly well served by clubs and the MDLGA not to mention Cheshire!”
Pic-Jill also pictured with the new MDLGA Presidents display boar
Copy & images: Geoff Garnett
