Lancashire’s Ann Irvin to be


next EWGA President

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Lancashire’s Ann Irvin is to be the next President of the English Women's Golf Association. She will take up office at the AGM next January.“This is the most amazing honour. It is the greatest honour that England can give me and I am just so proud,” said Ann, who enjoyed a stellar career as one of the country’s foremost amateurs.
Most recently Ann, pictured, has been a selector for both England and Great Britain & Ireland. She has also been president and captain of Lancashire and is an honorary member of her county; of her home club, Royal Lytham & St Annes; and also of Lytham Green Drive Golf Club.
During her term in office Ann will actively support EWGA’s efforts to connect with its members and highlight the work the association does on behalf of England’s women club golfers.
“I feel very strongly that our members in clubs, counties and regions are most important and much valued by the association. Our elite players are also a very important part of what we do, they are our showcase, but they tend to come and go very quickly. Our grass roots members are with us for a lifetime.”
Ann took up golf in her teens and went on to become English and British champion and to be a key member of national and international teams over a 15-year period. She was in four Curtis Cup teams between 1962 and 1976 and was selected for a fifth, but injury prevented her from taking up her place. She played for GB&I in eight Vagliano Trophy matches against the Continent of Europe, and on five occasions was in the winning team. She twice helped Great Britain to win the Commonwealth Tournament.
Ann played for England in 11 Home Internationals – the team won 10 times - and six European team championships, winning a gold medal on three occasions.
Looking back, she says: “My proudest moment was the 1968 Curtis Cup in Ireland, when I was playing top in all the matches and halved one and won the rest. My best moment was winning my British championship at Carnoustie in 1973. That was the pinnacle for me.”
Ann’s playing career came to an end in 1977 because of back problems. She remained involved with golf for some years, as Lancashire county captain in 1979 and as GB&I captain in the World Amateur Team Championship of 1982.
After a break from the game she returned as Lancashire president from 2002-04 and then accepted a role as a national and international selector.
She will succeed Elizabeth Earnshaw OBE as EWGA President at the association’s AGM on January 13, 2010.
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer
Tel. 01603 507 416