Three new captains have been appointed at Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club.
The new captains used a ceremonial hickory-shafted club to drive off the first tee at the Captains’ Drive-in event to launch the new season.
The new club captain is Richard Foster, 48, who has spent his career in local government and currently heads the library service for Cumberland Council.
Richard, who lives in Kendal and attended St Thomas’ School and Kirkbie Kendal School, has played golf since he was a youngster.
“I was good friends with a lad at primary school who played left-handed and had a set of left-handed clubs. I started playing and learned quite quickly that I was right-handed!” he said. “I got my own set of clubs at the age of 11, found I loved everything about golf, and it has been part of my life since then.”
Richard, who has been a member at Kirkby Lonsdale for four years and takes over the role from Mark Butterworth, added: “I like competitive golf and play in the weekend competitions. I also play for the club in the Lunesdale League and at county events. I just like playing golf for fun on beautiful days – it is a lovely way to socialise with friends.
“The strength of Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club is, first and foremost, that it is a stunning golf course. It is also a very social club where the atmosphere is warm, friendly and open.”
Meanwhile, the club’s new lady captain is Shirley Mørch. She is a chartered accountant who worked in the city and was director of finance and resources at St John’s hospice at Lancaster for 11 years until she retired in 2021. She is also a magistrate.
Shirley, who takes over the role from Kate Rhodes, started playing golf about 12 years ago and she said: “I enjoy the social aspect – playing with friends and all the camaraderie. I do, however, take part in competitions and play for Kirkby Lonsdale in the Three Counties Low Handicap League and for the club’s silver team. Kirkby Lonsdale has a very strong, cohesive ladies’ section and there is always good support for ladies’ events.
“During my year of office, I shall try to strengthen even further the women’s section at the club. I am working with head teaching professional Ellie Broome to welcome members of her beginners’ group into the ladies’ section. As part of my lady captaincy, I have also arranged a golf break for the ladies’ section to Shaw Hill golf resort near Chorley.”
The club’s new seniors’ captain is Graham Mason, who retired in 2018 after teaching for 33 years at Rivington and Blackrod High School in Horwich. He moved to Kirkby Lonsdale about five years ago.
“I took up golf nearly 30 years ago after I stopped playing amateur football,” said Graham. “I was a member at Harwood Golf Club and Turton Golf Club for more than 20 years before I joined Kirkby Lonsdale.
“I am captain of the seniors’ team and we will be playing 23 friendly matches this year against 12 other teams from around Cumbria and north Lancashire. What I like about golf is the combination of the camaraderie, a little bit of exercise, and a little bit of competition. I have taken over as seniors’ captaincy from Jack Waite, who has done it for two years and has done a fantastic job and I am just hoping to continue in that same vein.”
The Captains’ Drive-in event brought together 116 members, with Robbie Pickard winning the men’s white tee event, Christine Handley winning the ladies’ competition, and Rob Burke winning the men’s yellow tee competition.
This year’s captains’ charity will be North West Blood Bikes Lancs and Lakes, which Richard’s late father, Peter, advocated for passionately.
