Woman makes history by becoming the first female captain in golf club’s 230 years

JUST 15 years ago, Pam Smith had never set foot on a golf course.

But she recently made history by being appointed the first female captain at Crail Golfing Society in the club’s 230 years.

Pam’s new role comes despite the fact that she still has a lot to learn about the sport.

“I don’t know very much about golf, and I’m not scared to admit it,” she told The Sunday Post.

“I’m not your typical golfer – or typical captain. I only started playing late on in life.

“I was voted into the post, so I must be doing something right!”

Pam’s appointment comes amid changing times on the country’s greens. Earlier this month, it was announced that members at Muirfield will vote for a second time on admitting women members, with the results due in March.

The East Lothian club, which has staged the Open 16 times and produced a “who’s who” of champions including Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Phil Mickelson, hit the headlines last year when it lost its status as a venue for the tournament after refusing to admit female members.

It’s a concept that grandmother-of-four Pam can’t understand.

“I’ve never encountered any problems with the male/female divide in golf, but there are still some very sexist attitudes, and a bit of a golfing stereotype,” she said.

“It’s often portrayed as an elitist sport, played by pompous men in Pringle jumpers – but that’s so far-fetched from the reality.

“Yes, some clubs have rules about women, but what appears in the media gives a false impression about the majority of golf clubs.

“At Crail, there are certainly more men, but plenty of female golfers –and young girls – too. In fact, our club champ is a 12-year-old girl.”

Pam swung her first club in 2002, in her early 50s.

“The first time I played, I really didn’t have a clue,” she said. “I was rubbish! Not a natural at all.

“You’d think that would have put me off.”

A decade and a half on and she’s in her second month of captaincy at the very same club.

“It’s hard to believe I’ve come this far,” she smiled. “That first day, before I’d even played the course, I walked into the clubhouse and put my name down for membership.

“I didn’t really think twice about my experience – or lack of. I’d just moved to Crail and I didn’t know anybody.

“My mother had just died and my marriage had broken down. It was a lonely time.

“I figured playing golf would not only be a way to keep fit and healthy – but to meet new people.”

The mum-of-two, who moved to Scotland from Yorkshire in 1973, came from a background in sport, having played lacrosse as a youngster, and worked as a PE teacher, as well as teaching swimming and gymnastics abroad – but she had never tried her hand at golf.

Her passion stemmed from working at exhibitions at major golf fixtures, such as The Open and Ryder Cup, during a 12-year stint as an information officer with VisitScotland.

“I would meet people who had played more than 300 different courses in Scotland and be amazed at their stories.

“And I thought, ‘I’m promoting this, why not give this a go?’”

Pam practised and regularly played in ladies’ competitions in a bid to get her handicap down.

“Well, it started at 36 and it’s down to 27 now,” she laughed. “It’s not great, but it’s getting there.”

Over the years, she’s won many competitions, and worked her way up through the ranks.

The 68-year-old served as ladies captain at Crail in 2008, on the management committee for eight years and spent a year as the society’s vice-captain before being appointed captain at the end of last year – on her birthday.

“It was a real honour, and a double celebration,” she said. “I came home and poured a very large drink!”

Pam is thoroughly enjoying the role, and an opportunity to learn more about the game.

“A lot of it for me will be learning on the job. But I hope my appointment can bring new things, and a fresh outlook,” she said.

Pam’s main goal is to make the club – and the sport – as welcoming as possible.

“That’s the thing about golf,” she said. “Whether you start at five or 55, you race round or go a little slower and whether you do nine holes or 18, it’s just a nice way to do a four-mile walk, and see some gorgeous scenery along the way.

“The post is two years but there’s an annual ballot so hopefully I don’t get voted out after the first one!” she chuckled.

“That would make even more history as I don’t think it has ever happened before.

“But overall, I’m looking forward to it.”