After a whirlwind 12 months of tournaments and events around the UK, Hartlepool’s Chris Pascall has handed over the presidency of England Golf to Gloucestershire’s Ian Watkins.
A decorated amateur golfer, Chris was nominated for the presidency having been part of English golf for more than 50 years. A former national team captain, Chris continues to serve as a national selector and took up the presidency in April 2023.
“Being president of England Golf has been fantastic,” she said. “There were lots of long journeys and late finishes, but I’ve seen some fantastic golf and met so many lovely people at clubs all over the country. To see the pride all the members and officials take in hosting events has been wonderful.”
Among Chris’ many highlights last season were Zach Little’s stunning final round 63 to force a playoff with eventual winner Liam Nolan at the Brabazon Trophy; seeing South Africa’s Gia Raad make two eagles on the back nine to win the English Girls’; and the first-ever English Women’s Champion Club tournament.
“The off-course events have also been a lot of fun and I can’t thank all the counties, clubs and organisations who’ve invited me along enough for their hospitality and the warmth of their welcome. Going into rooms of 300-plus golfers, some of them all men, could have been daunting but I was welcomed to every occasion with such enthusiasm. I hope more women get to enjoy these events in the future and take up the invites.
“The welcome and support from the England Golf team has also been incredible. The relationship I’ve been able to form with Jeremy [Tomlinson, England Golf CEO] and Ian [Pattinson, England Golf chair] has certainly been rewarding. To get an inside look at how England Golf operates and delivers so much across the sport has been fascinating.”
Chris ended her year as president with a “bucket list” trip to Augusta National for The Masters as part of the England Golf delegation – where she met counterparts from associations around the world.
“There’s a lot to take forward from this year,” added Chris, who will have a slightly less busy diary as immediate past president. “The English Amateur at Seaton Carew and Hartlepool will be fantastic. I’m also looking forward to my first-ever Seniors’ Home Internationals in Ireland having been to so many girls’ and women’s events in the past.
“I went into this role determined to enjoy it – and I thoroughly have. It has been an amazing reward for a long and already so rewarding career in golf. I’d encourage everyone to get involved in volunteering, at any level, as the opportunities it can open up are incredible.”
