GUW announce Celia Bartlett as new president

The Golf Union of Wales (GUW) have announced that Newport Links president Celia Bartlett is to step in as their new president.

Bartlett (61) was one of the first women to be president of a golf club in Wales, and also plays a key role in ensuring the governing body of Welsh amateur golf meets equality standards.

Celia Bartlett.

Playing off a handicap of 13, Bartlett is a qualified referee, a former Newport ladies’ captain, handicap secretary, competitions secretary and the first lady elected to the Newport club committee.

She has also been secretary and president of the Pembrokeshire society of lady golf captains, and Dyfed ladies league treasurer.

She worked as a PE teacher, and has been on the GUW council since 2007. She follows Louise Fleet as president, who was the first chair of the GUW before becoming president.

She said: “I am looking forward to representing Welsh golf. It will be a lot of hard work, but I am ready for that.

“Wales punches well above its weight as a golfing nation, because we are only small, so it will be nice to represent that and do what I can to promote the image of Welsh golf.

“It is a huge, huge honour, not something I ever envisaged. I was a little late coming to golf because I played a lot of other sports. It is also a great honour for a small club like Newport, so I am delighted.

“I am looking forward to it being an interesting job. The aim is a very simple one, to get more people playing golf – that is the main purpose for the Golf Union of Wales and Golf Development Wales.”

The role as president is a two-year term, while former Ryder Cup Wales chairman John Jermine continues as chairman of the GUW.

"I know that Celia will make a major contribution during her term of office,” said Jermine. “It is vital that the president has a total commitment to making golf fully inclusive, is able to attract new players to the game and must also have an understanding of the culture and history of the union to help with representing us at many high profile national and international events.

“Celia has a wealth of experience and great enthusiasm and passion for the game and we are all looking forward to working with her during the next two years - we are all delighted she is our new president."