Royal Portrush boss Wilma Erskine guest at U3A meeting

U3A is the University of the Third Age and native of Ballymoney and secretary/manager of the Royal Portrush Golf Club, Wilma Erskine, gave a very interesting and lively talk about her training and career.

Wilma, who received an BEM in last January’s New Year’s Honours list, has held her role at the prestigious North Coast club since 1984 and has proved to be a formidable force in those 31 years as she has seen and delivered some massive changes.

Known as ‘The Boss’, Wilma, has been the driving force behind Royal Portrush and has been instrumental in securing The British Open which will take place in July 2019.

Stars such as Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson will join our own superstar trio of Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke on the fairways for what promises to be four of the most fabulous sporting days ever witnessed in our wee country.

A successful staging in 2019 would confirm Royal Portrush on the rota at intervals of eight to 10 years, thus guaranteeing regular multi-millions of revenue.

However, from now until then, there is a great deal to be done to ensure that everything, from the re-design of the course to the spectator facilities, is up to scratch.

Wilma talked about the problems, support and successes encountered during the club’s efforts to stage Open Championships, including both the Irish Open in 2012 and more recent negotiations for the Open itself.

At the start of the meeting, Rose Marie Bradley, the new Regional Trustee from Derry U3A, presented the official Membership Certificate to our group, which was only set up in the Spring of 2015.

The next main meeting of Ballymoney U3A will take place on Tuesday 9th February at 10.30am for 11am.