Why golfer Hannah is a Cowdray trailblazer

As outgoing captain Jo Fife ‘putted out’ on the 18th green, Hannah struck her ceremonial tee shot in unusual circumstances as there were no huge crowds around the first tee as in previous years.

Hannah’s appointment as Lady Captain is a first for Cowdray and fairly unique in the wider game as she is a professional golfer.

Following a strong amateur career, winning both the Sussex county championship and south east of England championships, Hannah turned pro and made her way to the top of the game, competing on the Ladies’ European Tour.

There she rubbed shoulders with the elite in Ladies game as well as winning an event on the ladies’ access tour in 2013 plus the prestigious Roehampton Cup in 2017.

Hannah is also well known for her coaching, which based at Cowdray, and she has been instrumental in providing a pathway for new ladies in particular to enjoy the game, the club’s facilities and ultimately join the club.

Having been affiliated with Cowdray since the age of ten and with her family associated with the club for many more years, it is a great testament to her that she will become the first professional lady captain at the club.

She said: “I am so proud to follow in some of my family’s footsteps in becoming a captain at our wonderful club.

“It really means a lot to me and although this year has been horrendous in many ways, I would like to pay tribute to outgoing lady captain Jo Fife and the remarkable job she did.

“It will certainly be an exciting and busy year ahead!”

Hannah’s chosen charity, The Oesophageal Patients Association, (OPA), has led the fight against various gastric cancers for more than 30 years.