Lewis equipped for the long haul

Martin Lewis

HAVING competed in five London marathons, new Oldham Golf Club captain Martin Lewis should certainly have the stamina for his year’s captaincy at Oldham.

A former member of East Cheshire Harriers, for whom his 12-year-old son George recently won the Greater Manchester Schools Cross-Country Championship, Martin prefers to adopt a more sedate approach to sport these days.

Happy to swap running shoes for golf spikes, the 42-year-old, who lives in Ashton with wife Susan, son George and daughter Megan (eight), is down to a career-low handicap mark of 10.

“I started last year off 11, but got it down to 10 after doing well in several competitions and winning the mixed major with Ann Smith,” he said.

An IT audit manager for the Yorkshire Building Society, Martin hopes to carry on where his predecessors have left off by preserving Oldham’s healthy membership status.

“We lost 15 from last year, but gained 13. Another one or two would be welcome, but we also have a scheme in which golfers can pay per round in vouchers which they can obtain for £300 (24 rounds) and £200.

“This also gives them social membership and access to the club,” added Martin.

Oldham professional James Rowlands holds regular coaching clinics for youngsters on Saturday afternoons and Martin is keen to push this section of the club with the future in mind.

Oldham expect to secure Golfmark status in the next month and that will be a big help, not just in coaching grants, but in obtaining the necessary documentation to be able to supervise the youngsters.

And Martin (pictured) also hopes to raise money for local charities, in particular the club’s chosen beneficiary, the Kingfisher School, Chadderton.

The golf day for this event will be held at Oldham on Friday, July 1.