SUE Milroy is delighted to be president of the Manchester and District Ladies Golf Association for 2020.

She has a background with both Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Golf Clubs and has outlined her time in the sport and the opportunities for players in member clubs to play in their competitions this year.

“I joined the MDLGA six years ago and have been secretary for the last five," she said.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the role, meeting so many ladies at the various events.

“The job has also honed my IT skills, as we have developed the website and now use email for nearly all of our communications.

“My own golf career has been notably uneventful. I started playing at Alderley Edge 30 years ago, moving to Wilmslow in 1996 to join my husband.

“Before my retirement I always ensured that Mondays were free for matches and Wednesdays for ladies’ day. My only claim to fame was winning the club mixed foursomes and that was due mainly to my husband’s magnificent performance.”

MDLGA was established in 1902, with ladies from 20 member clubs, all within a 20-mile radius of the centre of Manchester, competing for the Challenge Cup.

"This is a beautiful trophy which is still played for today, along with the Lloyd Jones Scratch Trophy which was introduced in 1952, the jubilee year of the Association," said Sue.

This event will be held at Pike Fold on June 26, 2020.

In 1908 the catchment area was extended to include clubs within a 25-mile radius of the centre of Manchester and this is still the same today.

Mrs Bell, who was president in 1911, offered a trophy which could be played for annually and the famous Bell Cup competition began.

“We now have 87 clubs in the Association, 81 of which have entered the Bell Cup in 2020," said Sue.

"The semi finals and final of the Bell Cup will be held at Wilmslow on September 4, 2020, and I am sure this will be as exciting as ever and a day to remember for us all."

She added: “The Foursomes Event was introduced in 1951, but was changed to 4BBB in 2017, which has proved to be more popular with the members.

"This event will be held at Rossendale on September 11, 2020. The Team Event, which was inaugurated in 1997, will be held at Chorlton cum Hardy on August 7, 2020.

“Our most recent trophy was donated to the Association in our centenary year, 2002, by Bunty Booth, who was president of the Association in 1970.

"Each club plays a qualifying competition and the winner then goes forward to the final which is being played at Worsley on June 12, 2020.

“Although most clubs join MDLGA primarily to compete in the Bell Cup, we have several clubs who do not have strength in numbers, but join the Association in order to play in the Bunty Booth and our other events.

"We would like to welcome as many ladies as possible to these events in 2020."

Entry forms for the events will be available at mdlga.co.uk soon.