The Professional Golfers’ Association has announced the nomination of Beverly Lewis as Captain for 2005/2006. This is the first time in the 101 years history of the PGA that a woman has been put forward for this most prestigious post.
Beverly Lewis, who hails from Essex, is one of the pioneers of women’s professional golf. She will start in office next April as Captain Elect for two years, before going on to become the Association’s Captain in 2005 and 2006.
Today’s announcement, at the PGA’s Annual Luncheon in London, marks a major breakthrough for women’s golf and the professional game
“It’s certainly been a long time coming for the association to have a woman as its Captain,” said PGA chief executive Sandy Jones “but the board were unanimous that the time is right and in Beverly there couldn’t be a better choice for us or for the game of golf.”
Beverly admitted the news had left her stunned. “This is an unbelievable honour that brings enormous benefits to women’s golf,” she said. “I’m absolutely thrilled, as there’s no higher recognition in professional circles than being PGA Captain. It’s an appointment I never ever considered or thought would be within my grasp. I’m really looking forward to working alongside John Yeo for two years when he takes over from Dave Thomas in April and can’t wait for 2005.”
As Captain of the PGA, Beverly will be an ambassador for the Association and represent the membership at all the official functions and major golf events including The Open and The US Masters.
Beverly’s appointment is the latest in a series of achievements that have made her a role model for today’s lady golfers.
She was a founder member of the Women’s PGA in 1978 and chaired that organisation between 1979 and 1981, and in 1986. In 1982 she became one of the first lady professionals to acquire PGA membership.
During her eight-year tour career, Beverly notched two tournament wins. She then moved with equal success into coaching, commentating, journalism and teaching.
Beverly, who currently teaches at the Essex Golf Complex at Southend-on-Sea, has become one of the sport’s most prolific authors with ten teaching books currently to her credit. Her other links with golf in Essex are with Thorndon Park Golf Club, where she has been a member for nearly 30 years.
She has coached for the English Ladies Golf Association, and several county associations, and lectured at European teaching conferences in Germany and Spain.
To broaden her knowledge of the game even further, Beverly became a qualified R & A referee three years ago.
Her television career started in the 1980s doing voice-overs and for the last seven years Beverly has been part of the BBC television commentary team. She also commentates for BBC Scotland, Australia’s Channel 7 and TWI.
Beverly’s husband Ken is an artist and a long-time collaborator on her published works.
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