Simon Ward and his wife Karen have been a great feature at The Wilmslow Golf Club for the past 15 years doing outstanding work in Clubhouse Management. They were given a great send off at the club, as they are moving to pastures new, in a special event enjoyed by them both and club officials and members.
Simon outlined their time at the club: “I first joined The Wilmslow Golf Club in April 2008 as Assistant Clubhouse Manager.
“I returned in September 2009 to take on the role of Clubhouse Manager.
“Karen joined alongside me as my assistant before taking on the role as assistant to the General Manager in the Administration Department in 2022.
“Together our priority has always been to host a happy and welcoming Clubhouse for both members and visitors alike ensuring that their visit, whether it be just for a drink, holding their special occasion or a golf day, was stress free.
“There have been many highlights along the way, not least of which, was hosting the England Ladies Finals week in 2013, which was a fantastic experience.
“Whoever would have imagined seeing teams of ladies sat on the dance floor of TWGC’s clubhouse doing the actions to ‘Oops Upside Your head’.
“Later on that year we were delighted to win the England Golf Steward of the Year for the Northern Region, which I also won in 2011.
“At the Awards Ceremony, held in London, we were thrilled then to be named as the ‘National Stewards of the Year’.
“We received our trophies and certificates from England Golf Chief Executive David Joy and event sponsor Mark Roberts from Fullers.
“We were described by the judges as working together like ‘strawberries and cream’ and we won a two-night stay at a Fullers Hotel as well as advertising space to promote TWGC in local press/
“Our thanks must go to all of the members who have made us so welcome from Day One and a special thanks must go to the 2009 Captain Charles McKeown
who together with his house committee gave us the chance to return to the club.
“TWGC will always have a very special place in our hearts. We have made some very special friends and will take away many fond memories.
“It is going to be a very interesting time for the club over the next few years, having voted to move to a Board of Directors and we wish all the members and the Board all the very best for the future.” Wilmslow Captain and former Cheshire President Andrew Henshall, a member for over 50 years, added: “On behalf of TWGC I would like to offer Simon and Karen our best wishes for the future and they have set a standard which will be very hard to replicate.”
Copy & images: Geoff Garnett
