Celia Bartlett, one of the first women to be president of a golf club in Wales is about to take over as president of the Golf Union of Wales.
GUW council member Celia Bartlett is president of Newport Links in Pembrokeshire, while also playing a key role in ensuring the governing body of Welsh amateur golf met equality standards.
The 13 handicapper, who is also a qualified referee, is the first female president of Newport having served as Ladies captain, handicap secretary, competitions secretary and being the first lady elected to the club committee there in her own right.
The 61-year-old former PE teacher has been on the GUW council since 2007, as part of the new body when merging the Welsh LGU with the WGU to form the first fully integrated golfing union in the UK. She follows Louise Fleet as president, who was the first chair of the GUW before becoming president.
“I am looking forward to representing Welsh golf, it will be a lot of hard work but I am ready for that,” said Bartlett, who has also been secretary and president of the Pembrokeshire society of lady golf captains and Dyfed ladies league treasurer.
“Wales punches well above its weight as a golfing nation, because we are only small, so it will be nice to represent that and do what I can to promote the image of Welsh golf.
“It is a huge, huge honour, not something I ever envisaged. I was a little late coming to golf because I played a lot of other sports. It is also a great honour for a small club like Newport, so I am delighted.
“I got my refereeing and rules qualifications through Welsh golf and then the R and A, I really enjoy running and refereeing events and look forward to continuing to do so. It is nice to see some really good golf.
“I suppose in some respects I have been breaking the mould, for instance Newport is a privately owned club which had never had a lady president before.
“I am looking forward to it being an interesting job. The aim is a very simple one, to get more people playing golf – that is the main purpose for the Golf Union of Wales and Golf Development Wales.”
The role as president is a two year term, while former Ryder Cup Wales chairman John Jermine continues as chairman of the GUW.
“The President of the Union is also a member of the board and plays an important role in the development of golf in Wales and I know that Celia will make a major contribution during her term of office,” said Jermine.
“It is vital that the President has a total commitment to making golf fully inclusive, is able to attract players new to the game and must also have an understanding of the culture and history of the Union to help with representing us at many high profile national and international events.
“Celia has a wealth of experience and great enthusiasm and passion for the game and we are alll looking forward to working with her during the next two years – we are all delighted she is our new President.”