Sherwood Forest Golf Club’s Maureen Clarke has been awarded the Unsung Hero award at the Women in Golf Awards.
Maureen (right) presented her award by England Golf's Women & Girls in Golf Manager, Lauren Spray
Maureen was presented with the prize at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, which took place on Tuesday ahead of the start of the AIG Women’s Open.
Maureen has made an outstanding contribution to women’s and girls’ golf for over 40 years. She joined a beginner’s golf course in 1968 and in 2023 her enthusiasm for golf is undiminished.
To be dedicated to one volunteer role for over 40 years is praiseworthy and deserving of recognition but in Maureen's case, she has given exceptional service at national, county and club level. Underpinning this is her commitment to the future of golf, whether this is through developing junior golfers, training and encouraging future rules officials or offering prompt support to club handicap officials.
Maureen’s commitment to developing future generations of golfers is longstanding. She was firstly the junior organiser for Nottinghamshire County Ladies Golf Association (NCLGA) before progressing on to English Ladies Golf Association (ELGA)/England Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) committees and representing EWGA on the English Schools committee. She has continued this support for juniors, and as County President she attended every junior coaching session and match.
She has also passed on her knowledge of the rules and delivered practical rules sessions for the junior girls for a number of years. One of her former juniors, Emma Anderson, now Championships Manager at England Golf, recalled Maureen’s rules session when she was a nine-year-old junior as being understandable for all. Maureen also encouraged and supported Emma as she progressed through to taking her rules qualifications and Emma has now taken on the role of Chief Referee for the County, as well as forging her own career in the golf industry.
Maureen leads by example and passed her R&A Rules exam in 2002 and from 2003 she was the Chief Referee for ELGA/EWGA. She became an England Golf Championship Panel referee in 2013 and has officiated at all Major Championships. She has passed numerous R&A Level 3 Rules exams, most recently in 2019 with 92%. In 2012, Maureen was a referee at the 2012 Open, her first-round group being Darren Clarke, Zach Johnson and Ernie Els.
At club level Maureen also delivers rules workshops, complete with a marvellous set of indoor props. These workshops are open to all club members and Maureen donates all funds raised to junior golf.
Maureen was also the County Handicap Advisor and Assistant for eight years. Such was her commitment, that instead of retiring fully from her role as County Handicap Adviser, she stayed on as the Assistant in order to help her successor. At the 2022 County AGM, County Handicap Advisor Val Dowthwaite said: “Maureen is retiring from her position as Assistant Handicap Advisor. Maureen and I have worked closely together for a number of years and I have the greatest respect for her extensive knowledge of the game and commitment to the NCLGA.”
County Captain 2019 Carol Houghton, “Maureen was the go-to person for everybody, not only for her deep knowledge of all things golf, but for her good sense, kindness and fun manner. Maureen always goes above and beyond.”
Maureen has made an outstanding contribution to women’s and girls’ golf for over 40 years. She joined a beginner’s golf course in 1968 and in 2023 her enthusiasm for golf is undiminished.
To be dedicated to one volunteer role for over 40 years is praiseworthy and deserving of recognition but in Maureen's case, she has given exceptional service at national, county and club level. Underpinning this is her commitment to the future of golf, whether this is through developing junior golfers, training and encouraging future rules officials or offering prompt support to club handicap officials.
Maureen’s commitment to developing future generations of golfers is longstanding. She was firstly the junior organiser for Nottinghamshire County Ladies Golf Association (NCLGA) before progressing on to English Ladies Golf Association (ELGA)/England Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) committees and representing EWGA on the English Schools committee. She has continued this support for juniors, and as County President she attended every junior coaching session and match.
She has also passed on her knowledge of the rules and delivered practical rules sessions for the junior girls for a number of years. One of her former juniors, Emma Anderson, now Championships Manager at England Golf, recalled Maureen’s rules session when she was a nine-year-old junior as being understandable for all. Maureen also encouraged and supported Emma as she progressed through to taking her rules qualifications and Emma has now taken on the role of Chief Referee for the County, as well as forging her own career in the golf industry.
Maureen leads by example and passed her R&A Rules exam in 2002 and from 2003 she was the Chief Referee for ELGA/EWGA. She became an England Golf Championship Panel referee in 2013 and has officiated at all Major Championships. She has passed numerous R&A Level 3 Rules exams, most recently in 2019 with 92%. In 2012, Maureen was a referee at the 2012 Open, her first-round group being Darren Clarke, Zach Johnson and Ernie Els.
At club level Maureen also delivers rules workshops, complete with a marvellous set of indoor props. These workshops are open to all club members and Maureen donates all funds raised to junior golf.
Maureen was also the County Handicap Advisor and Assistant for eight years. Such was her commitment, that instead of retiring fully from her role as County Handicap Adviser, she stayed on as the Assistant in order to help her successor. At the 2022 County AGM, County Handicap Advisor Val Dowthwaite said: “Maureen is retiring from her position as Assistant Handicap Advisor. Maureen and I have worked closely together for a number of years and I have the greatest respect for her extensive knowledge of the game and commitment to the NCLGA.”
County Captain 2019 Carol Houghton, “Maureen was the go-to person for everybody, not only for her deep knowledge of all things golf, but for her good sense, kindness and fun manner. Maureen always goes above and beyond.”
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: pr@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: pr@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org