Viv brushes up on lead role at top of Hill

Nov 27 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

DENTAL hygienist Vivienne Holgate of Sutton Leach, near St Helens, who ended her hockey career in favour of golf, is the new ladies captain at Blundells Hill.

Her parents played golf at Flixton, Manchester, but her early sporting interest was hockey.

She played for the Brooklands Club at Sale and made an appearance for Cheshire.

In her 20s she followed her parents to play at Flixton and admits that playing the two sports become very time consuming.

Her then husband suggested she stopped playing hockey. Apart from the time involved, she admits there were times when she came home “black and blue.”

She adds: “I am very competitive.”

Blundells Hill was founded as an equal rights club and became a pioneer in modern golf when it elected a lady as the club captain a few years ago.

Lady members play, not competitions for the ladies as elsewhere, but club competitions, alongside the men.

Holgate has a golf handicap of seven and has won the club singles knockout and the winter and summer leagues with her mixed partner.

She is a former Lady Captain at Acre Gate Golf Club in Flixton before joining Flixton GC, where she was a member for eight years. She joined Blundells Hill GC in 2001.

She says: “I am looking forward to my year and promoting the club. When we have our ladies open in June we can show off our altered ladies course, which has seen an introduction of some new tees.”