HELENSBURGH Golf Club is marking a milestone this year after the appointment of a female club captain for the first time in its 131-year history.

Linda Moffat, elected at the club’s AGM earlier this year, is a highly-regarded long term member and a former lady champion at the club, as well as an integral part of the club’s committees for several years.

The club’s members showed their appreciation and support for their new captain on Saturday when almost 150 players took part in the annual Captain’s Day event.

Played in dry but cloudy conditions, the competition saw Phil English took the honours in division one of the gents’ competition with 39 points, while Stuart Leach won division two, also with 39 points.

Paul Strettle outdid both by posting 42 points to win division three, though his points tally was matched by Anne Riding, the winner of the ladies’ cup.

Harry Miller lifted the junior prize in style.

The nearest-the-pin competition at the par three 11th hole was won by Stevie Donald and Abby Stirling, whose shots may (or may not) have been helped by the refreshments which were generously provided on the tee by the new captain and her fantastic team of helpers.

On the conclusion of their rounds, each player enjoyed a barbecue and further drinks at the 19th hole before Linda presented the winners with their trophies.

In her speech at the end of a superb day Linda praised the contribution of course manager Jonny Cleland and his team, who earlier in the week had had to cope with the invasion of the course by a herd of more than 20 cows – though the diligent work of Jonny and his team meant the damage caused by the invaders was unnoticeable by the weekend.

Linda said: “I feel very honoured to be holding this position this year and being part of the great buzz that is present in this historic town club, and I was absolutely delighted that so many took part on Saturday, enjoying good weather and each other’s company.

“There were a few sore heads going through the ‘refreshment’ tent on the 11th tee after the football the night before, but the ‘Rusty Nails’ seemed to have a magical effect on some and raised the banter up a notch. 

“The course is in fantastic condition and the three separate competitions for the honours in the gents, ladies and juniors sections produced some great competition and excellent scoring.

“I was so pleased to see the camaraderie amongst a complete cross-section of the membership, out playing together and then socialising together afterwards.”