Debbie Richards was inducted as England Golf President at Thursday’s England Golf AGM at Woodhall Spa.
Debbie replaces Alistair Booth as President following the allotted 12 months in the role.
Debbie (pictured above) started golf as a teenager and was an international at the age of just 16 when she played for Wales in the Junior Home Internationals.
She moved to London at the age of 19 and joined Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club where she remained until 2000, when she joined Burhill Golf Club. She has also been a member of Rye for over 20 years – and has been a club champion at all three clubs.
Debbie has played county golf for Surrey at various levels, including both 1st and 2nd teams, and is currently still playing in the senior team.
On turning 50, she became a frequent participator in senior events both home and abroad, and was selected for the England Senior Team in 2014, a year in which the team won a gold medal at the European Team Championships.
In 2017, Debbie was appointed Captain of the England Senior Team and held the position for three years, winning gold at the 2019 European Team Championships, which resulted in her winning the 2019 England Golf Volunteer of the Year.
In her professional life, after leaving school, Debbie worked in sales for nine years at British Airways before joining a sports hospitality company which specialised in running golf days and also rugby and tennis events.
She said: “It is an incredible honour to have been elected as President of England Golf. I am looking forward to attending the Championships and following the success of the England players throughout the 2026 season. With the amount of talent we have in England, I am sure it will be a successful year."
England Golf would also like to extend a big thanks to Alistair Booth (pictured below) for his tremendous service as President throughout 2025-26.
Debbie (pictured above) started golf as a teenager and was an international at the age of just 16 when she played for Wales in the Junior Home Internationals.
She moved to London at the age of 19 and joined Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club where she remained until 2000, when she joined Burhill Golf Club. She has also been a member of Rye for over 20 years – and has been a club champion at all three clubs.
Debbie has played county golf for Surrey at various levels, including both 1st and 2nd teams, and is currently still playing in the senior team.
On turning 50, she became a frequent participator in senior events both home and abroad, and was selected for the England Senior Team in 2014, a year in which the team won a gold medal at the European Team Championships.
In 2017, Debbie was appointed Captain of the England Senior Team and held the position for three years, winning gold at the 2019 European Team Championships, which resulted in her winning the 2019 England Golf Volunteer of the Year.
In her professional life, after leaving school, Debbie worked in sales for nine years at British Airways before joining a sports hospitality company which specialised in running golf days and also rugby and tennis events.
She said: “It is an incredible honour to have been elected as President of England Golf. I am looking forward to attending the Championships and following the success of the England players throughout the 2026 season. With the amount of talent we have in England, I am sure it will be a successful year."
England Golf would also like to extend a big thanks to Alistair Booth (pictured below) for his tremendous service as President throughout 2025-26.
Alistair, who will continue in a role as Past President in 2026, is a Past President (2018-19) of Berks, Bucks & Oxon (BB&O) Golf Union, and sits as Chairman of BB&O Ltd.
He was part of the England Golf Board from 2018-2024, where he sat on the Audit and Finance Committee. He has also enjoyed a host of roles at Frilford Heath Golf Club where he’s been a member since 1994.
A single-figure-handicap golfer and an enthusiastic playing supporter of the England Golf Captains and Senior Series programmes, Alistair said: “It's been a privilege to be President of England Golf. 2025 was a fantastic year in which the organisation achieved so both on and off the course. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people and clubs around the country, who are doing so many amazing things to make our game what it is today."
Meanwhile, Patrick Cunningham (pictured below) has begun his role as President Elect, with a view to succeeding Debbie as President in 2027.
He was part of the England Golf Board from 2018-2024, where he sat on the Audit and Finance Committee. He has also enjoyed a host of roles at Frilford Heath Golf Club where he’s been a member since 1994.
A single-figure-handicap golfer and an enthusiastic playing supporter of the England Golf Captains and Senior Series programmes, Alistair said: “It's been a privilege to be President of England Golf. 2025 was a fantastic year in which the organisation achieved so both on and off the course. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people and clubs around the country, who are doing so many amazing things to make our game what it is today."
Meanwhile, Patrick Cunningham (pictured below) has begun his role as President Elect, with a view to succeeding Debbie as President in 2027.
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org