New golf club captain earned his wings as a tennis ace in the RAF

Another great article from Ceidiog PR

The new captain of Ruthin-Pwllglas Golf Club is a keen sportsman who did the double of men’s junior and senior titles at Ruthin Tennis Club in the same year and played the game for the RAF.

Former Brynhyfryd School pupil Vince Gill served from Buchan in Aberdeenshire to Belize in Central America during 13 years in the RAF which also took in in the Falklands, London, Cyprus and Northumberland where he took up golf at Foxton Hall, near Alnmouth.

The 63-year-old retired Purchasing Manager from Ruthin who worked in the food industry was also a talented snooker and pool player and has earned a reputation on the course as a tough competitor with a razor-sharp short game.

He has a string of board competitions to his name in 30 years as a member at Pwllglas and though now playing off 15 he once shot 69 off ten handicap to win the club’s Centenary Trophy.

He said: “I enjoy my golf and at Pwllglas we are lucky enough to have a fantastic course with some of the most spectacular views in the country.

“As part of my year in office I want to support all the excellent work being done by chairman of greens Andrew Spink and our new green-keeper Dylan Evans.

“We also have a very good committee here under our chairman, Ian Vaughan Evans, and a growing membership to build on for the future.”

Vince is the third member of his family to be a captain at the club following his older brother, Geoff, and sister-in-law, Stella, and he sees his main role as an ambassador for Ruthin-Pwllglas.

He added: “We are always keen to recruit new members, in particular sportsmen and women who are coming to the end of their playing careers or anyone who want a challenge, to join the club.

“Ruthin Pwllglas is a small, friendly club with a course that is not too long but is challenging, weekly competitions and a lot of social golf that promotes a strong community spirit.

“It’s good value too because members of Ruthin Pwllglas can enjoy unrestricted golf plus you get some healthy exercise.”

He rates the Bell Hole 6th his favourite on the course: “It’s a tricky, downhill par-four with a lovely view of the Clwydian Range on the left, a cliff edge threatening on the right, trees and bunkers on the left requires an arrow straight drive off the tee.

“The approach shot, with the green guarded by a steep downhill slope at the front either requires a very accurate lob wedge or a well-paced bump and run. Too firm and there’s an awkward little chip back.

“Exiting the green towards the 7th you have the great views of Pwllglas below with Snowdonia National Park as a backdrop. Perfect little gem of a hole.”

Vince is married to Jill and the couple have a daughter, Ceri, a doctor, who practices in Liverpool.

His Captain’s Charity is the British Heart Foundation, a choice in memory of the late Graham Lowe, a popular member of the club from Corwen who died suddenly recently.

His year in office began with his Captain’s Drive-In where into the wind and on fairways with very little run he managed a very respectable drive of just over 182 yards.

He was joined on his opening round as Captain in the Drive-In competition by the Denbighshire Golfing Union Captain, Jonathan Tym, from Wrexham Golf Club, Vice Captain Gary Teeson and Past Captain John Hendre Williams.

The Stableford event was won by John Towns with 40 points, one ahead of runner-up Joshua Duckworth with 39 points who pipped Kim Webb on countback.

Vince’s predecessor as Captain, Andrew Spink, named the Alzheimer’s Society as his chosen charity and donations totalling £233 were matched by the outgoing Captain, making a total of £466.00 given to the worthy cause.

Anyone interested in joining can contact the club at www.ruthinpwllglasgc.uk