Captain Keighley rewrites the history books

Alex Keighley will create history at the end of the month when she is appointed the first woman captain of a PGA region which has traditionally been exclusive to men.

The Huddersfield Golf Club professional, who was nominated at the PGA in Yorkshire annual meeting, said: “I was asked a couple of days before and I was delighted to accept. I enjoy being a club pro and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Keighley had an impressive amateur career ahead of joining the paid ranks in 2003, representing Great Britain and Ireland and playing in the Ladies British Open, which she considers her finest achievements.

She is also a director of TGI Golfer Partnership and at 35 is understood to be the youngest professional in PGA in England and Wales (North) to take on the captaincy, succeeding Hawarden’s Alex Rowland.

“It’s a bit different so I’ll see how I handle it,” she said.

Alex, who will be officially installed during the region’s annual meeting at Clitheroe, jumped at the chance of taking over as head pro at Huddersfield from Paul Carman in 2012, having worked as his assistant for nine years.

She was originally a member of Lightcliffe Golf Club and among her other playing successes were winning the English U21 Strokeplay and English Mid-Amateur championships prior to embarking on a six-year spell on the professional circuit.

“I didn’t make much money but I had a great time,” she revealed. “It’s a tough industry but I gained a lot from it as well as during my amateur days so I felt I had sufficient experience to teach.

“I don’t miss playing – it’s a bit of a ‘been there, done that situation’ but being a PGA professional intrigues me and I absolutely love it!” she added.