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MR STUART M SMITH
May I first of all offer a wholehearted and friendly welcome to Hawkstone Park Golf Club.
I am extremely honoured and privileged to have been elected as Captain of this special golf club after being a member for over 40 years.
I started playing golf at a very young age, putting around my parents garden where I gradually designed a putting course with 18 different challenging holes to play, I also played on various pitch and putt courses with my father. After a few years of this I joined the Hawkstone Park Junior section, way back in 1981. I’m a third generation member, with both of my parents Anthony and Pauline being Past Captains, and my Grandfather Hubert was President in the late 1960’s.
A single figure handicap member I mix early Sunday morning competition golf with some socially based midweek games. I also play in a lot of inter club games (when selected), including the Friendly matches, Handicap League, Scratch League, Hargrove and Ken Smith, I play in some Seniors competitions on Tuesdays, miscellaneous Opens and in most of the Clywd & Border Alliance games on Wednesdays.
The opportunity to play on the two high quality courses and Hawkstone’s BRS pre booking systems mean that my diary is rarely short of golfing dates.
A Quantity Surveyor by profession, I spent the first half of my career working in the construction and the steelwork industries, later on moving into engineering companies. More recently I’ve eased off and I’m currently ‘semi-retired’.
I look forward to contributing to the ongoing success of the Club and hope that the coming year will be enjoyable.
MR TONY HARROP
I moved to Shropshire in 1979 from Huddersfield where I was a PE teacher in a secondary school. I have always been a keen sportsman with rugby and golf being my main interests. I played Rugby for Yorkshire and had an England trial in 1972. I played golf at Crosland Heath Golf Club, a course situated high on the Pennines.
After moving to Shropshire for work commitments and family life restricted my time so I did not take up golf again until joining Hawkstone Park in 1990. I first became a committee member in the late 90's and after retiring from a Headship in Telford, became Golf Club Secretary in 2001, a post I held for 10 years. I was very proud to become Captain of the Club in 2004 and through the years I have represented the Club in Handicap League, Scratch League, Hargrove and Ken Smith Trophy. A highlight for me was to be Captain of our Ken Smith team when they won the County competition in 2004. On reaching the age of 55 I represented the County Seniors in friendly and league matches culminating becoming Shropshire & Herefordshire County Seniors Captain for 2014-15. The move to club President is now the next chapter in my golfing career and one I am very honoured to have been given.
MRS CATHERINE WILSON
I am honoured to take on the role of Lady Captain this year. I joined Hawkstone Park with my husband and have since been surrounded by fun loving and enthusiastic golfers, who both love the game with it's associated competitions and trophies and enjoy taking part in our club's very active social life.
I am looking forward to a competitive and fun filled year as Lady Captain and raising funds towards our chosen charity The Lingen Davies Cancer Trust who provide local treatment, support and cancer intervention for people in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and into Powys.
MR PAUL GREATBATCH
I am originally from the Potteries, having lived for many years in Stockport and then retired to Shropshire. I've spent most of my working life in the printing trade and latterly in the storage industry. I'm married to Audrey and have two children and five wonderful grandchildren. When I joined Hawkstone I was made to feel very welcome and quickly felt settled in both the men's section, as well as the senior's section. The Seniors are a great group of people who like a laugh and a bit of banter which makes for enjoyable golf. On a personal note, I have been touched and humbled to be asked to be the Seniors Captain and will do my best to represent and support you all.
MISS PHOEBE RUSCOE
I am currently a Year 12 student at Thomas Adams Sixth Form, studying Maths, History and Btec Sport.
Golf inevitability is in my DNA having grandfather John Thorneycroft as Past President, grandmother Kath Thorneycroft as Past Lady Captain and father a mother as previous Club Members.
I have played golf since the age of 8, encouraged by my grandmother and Junior Coach, Lewis. Attending Friday Night Mixed Socials has given me the confidence to explore more golf. The welcome, encouragement and support that I received from all ages on these evenings, epitomises the ‘family’ that is Hawkstone Park Golf Club!
I look forward to the coming year as Junior Captain at Hawkstone Park and encourage golfers of all ages to come and join the fun!