The Society of Past Manchester Lady Captains has over 600 members from clubs within a 25-mile radius of Manchester Town Hall, including many from Cheshire,and holds competitions each year for their members and an annual lunch with a guest speaker at the end of the season at Lancashire Cricket Club.
They choose a new Captain each year and taking over from Anne Moizer (Chorlton GC) the proud Captain for 2026 is Barbara Schofield who has served with great distinction in top roles in a variety of golfing organisations in the area over the years.
Barbara (pictured) said: “ I am so looking forward to my year in office and thank everyone who was involved in my election and hopefully, I can help to make this year an enjoyable year for everyone.
Playing golf was a sport that I thought came with retirement!! Not so for me.
I came into the frustrating world of golf when having had two hip replacements in 1983 and 1986 in the left leg, my surgeon advised me to take up less adrenalin driven sporting activities i.e. tennis and horse riding!! Golf was suggested. “Fortunately for me, a friend’s father, was a long-standing member of Blackley GC and he took me under his wing, setting me up with lessons, practice, and set me on the golf pathway. In a very short time
“I had the bug and joined BGC in January 1989. Members took me out to get in my initial three cards and my first handicap came in at 32!! I loved it.
“In 1991 I took and passed my PGA qualification level 1 at Helsby Golf Club. This enabled me to introduce golf into the curriculum at my school for the 6th form.
“I did have to take time away from golf 1994 – 1996/7 as I was the schools lead on moving the school onto a single site.
“On return I threw myself into golf once again, playing in team matches and the Bell Cup and Opens at nearby clubs. I was Lady Captain in 2012 the wettest summer on record!!
“This was a most enjoyable year despite the weather. I was elected to serve on the Club Council as Chair of Hospitality (Bar & Catering). In 2018 I joined the Pro and his team in the coaching of juniors which was great fun and very rewarding. “Unfortunately, Covid stopped us in our tracks and it was quite difficult re-engaging the Juniors.
“In 2011 I joined the Ladies Handicap Committee and still give my time willingly to the Ladies Section as their Ladies Handicap Secretary – also known as the ‘Poison Chalice’!!
“Golf opened up a pathway for me to remain active in spite of hip surgery and to day I am still able to play 18 holes and represent my club in team matches & Bell Cup after six hip replacements – my surgeon is the best, but I have a knack of destroying his handy work!!
“Golf has given me so much enjoyment particularly in my Lady Captain’s year in 2012.
“In the Lady Captain’s Society we have 2 x 18 hole and 1 x 9 hole competitions at different clubs with the finals at my club, Blackley GC on Friday August 7th – everyone welcome, players and spectators!! “
Copy & image: Geoff Garnett
