First female president for Rugby Golf Club in 130-year history

Judith Pegler plans to help club attract more women and girls to the sport
Rugby Golf Club's new president Judith PeglerRugby Golf Club's new president Judith Pegler
Rugby Golf Club's new president Judith Pegler

Rugby Golf Club have appointed the first female president in their 130-year history.

And with the growing popularity of the sport in recent years, Judith Pegler is keen to help the club to attract more women and girls.

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Judith, who has been a member at the Clifton Road course for 36 years and captain of the ladies’ section twice, said: “Rugby Golf Club has been a large part of my life since moving to the town in 1985.

“Young lads who were junior members when I first joined are now stalwarts of the club and indeed the current club captain was once a junior member.

“We have also encouraged some excellent junior girls, one, Lauren Taylor is now a professional golfer but we want to encourage women of all ages to enjoy the camaraderie, competitiveness and social side of golf.

“As President, together with our Lady Captain Sue Tura and PGA professional Zoe North, we want to introduce the game to as many women and girls as possible.

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“It’s not just a game for ‘The Men’– we can all play and with the handicapping system can compete on a level playing field no matter what standard we achieve.

“I would encourage anyone to give it a go – you may be surprised at how much you enjoy yourself.”

The club has recently been accepted into the England Golf’s Women’s Charter, for which Judith is the golf club’s Charter Champion.

This is a new initiative to get more women and girls to play golf, to inspire more families to enjoy golf as a leisure activity and to open opportunities for women to work in the golf industry.

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Starting in June are a series of beginners sessions at Leam Valley Golf Centre. Zoe North will be running them as well as more golfing activities throughout the summer.

New player Clara Wicks, who has already signed up, said: “I have recently started getting into golf, and I am already getting the bug!

“My boys are 12 and 9 and they both play golf, as does my husband. I found that on holidays I ended up sitting on the sidelines as they all went off to play golf. I like to get involved and have fun with them, so why not learn to play too?

“The great thing about golf is that the handicap system means we can all play together, regardless of whether they are better than me.

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“I have met some lovely women through RGC and sessions at Leam Valley are good fun. I love the fact that I have found a way to do some exercise and get out of the house without feeling that I have to torture myself at the gym. I just love everything about it!”

Anyone interested in more details about the beginner sessions or who would just like a chat about golf opportunities should please contact [email protected] or www.rugbygolfclub.co.uk ‘take up golf ‘button.

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