If you want an idea of what sort of character Sarah Bennett is then you only have to touch upon her golfing history. In 2005 the former Ladies European Tour player’s career came to a sudden halt when she was bedridden for four months due to a severe balance disorder. This illness has left her with a permanent disability loss of 95 per cent of her balance on one side – she was told that she would never play golf again and now performs daily neuro rehab exercises to help manage it.
This hasn’t stopped her charitable work and this year her work with Guy’s Cancer Centre will result in the first ever worldwide research and published paper on thymic carcinoma. This very rare chest cancer affects only one in a million and sadly took the life of her friend, avid golfer and England Regional Volunteer manager Wendy Lodder.
To date Bennett has raised £45,000 via golf days and running a half marathon last year and by walking 15 miles on what would have been Wendy’s birthday.
In April this year she will finish her one-year term as the PGA Captain having become only the second female captain following her close friend and mentor, the late Beverly Lewis into the role.
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‘When I was invited to become PGA Captain in 2022 I obviously had no-one to discuss my ideas. I spent some time assessing my objectives, which I have managed to achieve, and I wanted to place a high regard on the membership as far as I could so meeting as many of our players at tournaments was key.
Part of those plans is to grow the WPGA as the Vice Chair. I am keen to develop accessibility for women who would like to enter the profession gaining qualified PGA Professional status. It is imperative we have role models and support for those young players commencing their careers.
Gone are the days where sole roles included either coaching or managing a pro shop, these days there are so many other positions in the industry which is a message that we still need to get out there. There is a lot of movement in that area with higher positions for women within our Association and industry which will provide other women with the confidence to strive for these once male-dominated roles.
Last year I instigated a mixed event with a completely different format which was one of my key goals and I am passionate about growing this. I am determined to build this into a national…
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