Helen Shepherd is named new Lady Captain at Dunmurry Golf Club

Helen is keen to begin her role and says she is “surprised and honoured” to be Lady Captain.

Helen commented: “I was surprised and honoured to be invited to be Lady Captain of Dunmurry Golf Club for the year 2014. I was even more surprised when I discovered my Grandfather, James Gillespie, was Captain in 1914, exactly 100 years ago. My Uncle was Captain in 1946, and my son, Mark, was Junior Captain in 2000. I am very proud to be following a family tradition.

“Jean White has been a very popular Lady Captain. She carried out her duties meticulously, spoke eloquently at meetings and functions and played golf very successfully. I shall try to follow her example.

“I have been a member of Dunmurry since 1991. I started to play golf on holidays in Donegal but did not take it up seriously until my three sons were at secondary school. At this time I was working as a nurse on night duty in the RVH and was able to play golf during the day, though often after very little sleep.

“My best wishes to our Captain, Lawrence, and President, John, in the forthcoming year. I look forward to the privilege of representing the lady members on Council and forging harmonious relations between men and ladies both on the course and at social functions.

“In an era of declining golf membership I hope we can attract new members to Dunmurry Golf Club and retain the loyal members we already have.

“I wish you all good health and good weather to enjoy this golfing year and good luck to our teams. Please come and join us at our fund-raising functions and our outings, you will all be most welcome. I would appreciate your support for my chosen charities this year, ‘Target Ovarian Cancer’ and Friends of The Cancer Centre’.”