HINDHEAD Golf Club has a lady president for the first time in its 112-year history, following the election of Ruth Hartley at the annual general meeting.

Possibly unique amongst golf clubs, Ruth follows in the footsteps of her late husband, Dick, who was Hindhead president from 2006 to 2009.

Ruth Hartley, who succeeds Neil Nugent as president, joined Hindhead in 1981 as an overseas member while living an expat life, becoming a full member in 1986.

She took up golf while living in Lagos, Nigeria, and once back in the UK, both she and her husband threw themselves into the game at Hindhead, supporting their club by taking on the roles of club captain and lady captain together in 1999.

Ruth said: “I’m very proud and humble to be considered as president. The job will be evolving over the next few years with the ongoing incorporation of the club.”

Other officers elected at the AGM were Steve Burton (club captain), Karen Hawkins (lady captain) and Charlie Newman (junior captain). Charlie is an active member of the junior squad and is part of the team that will represent Surrey later this year in the English Junior Club Championships.

During 2015, the club raised £10,000 for Shooting Star Chase’s Guildford hospice, Christopher’s, and the Contented Dementia Trust. This was thanks to the support of members at a number of events throughout the year.

For 2016, the new captains have chosen to support local charities Challengers Children’s Charity and the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham.

The traditional drive-in took place after the AGM, followed by a mixed greensomes competition with a shotgun start. Some 100 players took part and a magnificent £2,500 was raised on the day for the two charities through a raffle and auction.