Emotional return for Pease Pottage golf club ladies captain

Ruth Leatherbarrow returns as Ladies captain at Cottesmore Golf Club in Pease Pottage 20 years after stepping down. Ruth (left) and outgoing 2015 captain Pat Johns - picture submitted

The badge of office and the ‘captain’s keys’ were handed to Ruth Leatherbarrow by the 2015 captain, Pat Johns, at the club’s annual meeting last month.

In her incoming captain’s speech, Ruth spoke of her commitment to the club and her desire to listen to all the lady members to ensure a balance between competitive and ‘fun’ golf.

Ruth’s son is a Royal Marine and she has chosen ‘Help Our Wounded Royal Marines’ as her charity for the year;

She spoke movingly of some of the individuals the charity supports and is hopeful that one former marine, who was supported by the charity following life changing injuries incurred in Afghanistan, will take part in her Lady Captain’s Day or be part of a team in the annual Pro-Am competition in September.

A few tearful smiles were raised when Ruth told them that his handicap is 11 and he says he plays better golf now with only one leg than he did when he had two.

In her retiring captain’s speech, Pat thanked all the ladies, especially her hard-working committee, for their support during her year and for giving her so many happy memories.

Singled out were the Turkey Trot competition, the Ladies’ Open and her Captain’s Day, when a special house was made for her dog, Pip, and a competition run to design him a new dog coat.

She also thanked the ladies for their generosity in supporting her chosen charity, Winston’s Wish, which to date had raised over £3,800.

Cottesmore Golf and Country Club was founded just over 40 years by father and son team Michael and Matthew Rogerson, who transformed an old farm into a golf course.

As golf became more popular, they expanded the business and in the nineties Matthew embarked on a major development which transformed the club house into the country club, hotel and health spa it is today. It is still a family business with Matthew’s son-in-law Johnny and daughter Louisa running it.

At the AGM Johnny updated members on major works to be carried out in the coming year and presented both Ruth and Pat with bouquets to thank them for their work.