Gary’s a top Player

IT’S HARDLY surprising new Sadddleworth Golf Club captain Gary Simpson is a top amateur player as he was named after legend Gary Player.

“I was going to be Jack (Nicklaus) or Arnold (Palmer), but my mum put a stop to that,” joked the 45-year-old from Carrbrook.

It was inevitable Gary would take up golf – he did so at the age of nine – as his late father Jim was a massive golf enthusiast.

Indeed Jim, used to be a marshall at the World Matchplay Championships at Wentworth each year.

Jim knew former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallagher and, through that friendship, Gary was introduced to Player and spent an afternoon receiving tuition from the South African.

“I would be 14/15 years of age and I spent about four hours one afternoon hitting balls on the driving range with him giving me advice. It was absolutely fantastic, what dreams are made of and something I will never forget,” he said.

Gary also played at Saddleworth with former West Indies cricket legend Sonny Ramadhin who was also a top golfer. Ramadhin also coached him when he played cricket for Delph Juniors.

Gary went on to become a player whose lowest handicap was three. He currently plays off five.

He has achieved considerable success winning three majors – Captain’s Prize, Committee Cup and Ladcastle Trophy.

One other claim to fame is that Gary is believed to be the only player to birdie all four of the par three’s at Saddleworth in the same round as he had four two’s on his card. He has also had five holes-in-one.

And there is a third generation of Simpson’s at Saddleworth as Gary’s son Ben is junior captain. He has another son Kiel and wife Lynda.

A joiner by trade, Gary is now project manager for a retail construction company based in Delph.

As for his year in office at Saddleworth, Gary says there will be a drive to attract new members, especially juniors who are the next generation and people who have never played the game before.

LADY CAPTAIN Pauline Richardson, by contrast to her male counterpart, was a late starter to golf.

It was only following her retirement in 2004 that Pauline, who lives in Grasscroft, took up the sport.

“I took early retirement and was looking for things to do and I can honestly say it is the best thing I have ever done,” she explained.

Pauline, who was a marketing manager for United Utilities, would like to encourage others to follow their example.

She continued: “I would love to attract new lady members because golf filled a big gap for me after I retired.

“It was a new challenge, keeps you fit and there is a nice social life. It is a good overall package.”

Pauline, who plays off a modest handicap of 29, has also enjoyed glory as she won the Chronicle Cup in 2010 and successfully defended it 12 months later. She also plays for the bronze team.

Pauline is married to David, who is also a golfer at Saddleworth, and between them they have three children and four grandchildren.

She describes being invited to become captain as a great honour.

Both Gary and Pauline are raising funds for the same charity, Willow Wood Hospice, Stalybridge.