First lady chooses life-saving hospital as pro-am beneficiary

14/02/2020

The PGA Midlands new captain, Alison Johns, has chosen the hospital where she received life-saving surgery as a beneficiary of a fundraising pro-am she is organising.

Johns, a former Ladies European Tour player and teaching professional at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, has succeeded Nic Gilks as the region’s captain.

In doing so, she will be the latest in a line that began in 1965 when Jack Hargreaves, a member of the 1951 Great Britain Ryder Cup team and long-serving PGA Professional at Sutton Coldfield Golf Club, was appointed.

Fifty-one have held the role since then but, in becoming number 53, Johns will be the first female to do so.

That scenario looked unlikely 11 years ago, however, when she contracted a life-threatening virus.

“It was due to an unknown virus that attacked my liver,” she recalled. “I was given five days left to live unless I received a transplant.

“Luckily for me I got one of the final day at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

“Obviously I’m very grateful to the donor and family involved and ACT – the Addenbrookes Charitable Trust - the charity that supports the hospital is very dear to me.

“One of my duties as captain is to run a pro-am that raises funds for charity and mine will be held on June 23 at Woodhall Spa on the world-famous Hotchkin Course.

“The charities the event will support are ACT and The PGA Benevolent Fund and I’m hopeful all the 26 places for teams will be taken.”

Commenting on her appointment as captain, she added: “It’s a great honour for any golf pro. But to be first female to captain the region makes it even more special. It’s a really good thing for women and women’s golf.”

Johns, who was speaking during the PGA Midlands Regional Members’ Meeting after beginning her stint in office, announced her successor in 2021 would be Danny Spillane from Rothley Park Golf Club, Leicestershire.