Other individual successes in ELGA competitions are David Aspinall (son of John) winner of the Boys Championship in 1966 and Eddie Wilson who won the Seniors Championship in 1978.
The Ladies Section has flourished over the years and it too has had its fair share of success. They won the ELGA Handicap Shield in 1962, 1982 and 1998. Delice Powdrill recorded a significant triumph in 1994 by winning the prestigious Francis Smith Trophy while in 1974 in another remarkable effort, Jean Mercer and Jeanette Holt reached the Semi Final of the national Daily Mail Foursomes played at Hillside GC, where they were beaten by the eventual winners.
Two Lady members have served on the ELLGA Executive Committee. Mrs Jean Mercer who was President of the Association 1988 - 90 and Mrs Audrey Dean from 1987 to 89.
In 1968 the Captain of the England Ladies team, Gill Cheetham, played at the Club as a guest of Mrs Marjorie Mercer.
The Ladies Section (through their Captain) presents a cheque for a substantial amount of money at the Golf Club’s Annual General Meeting and this is most gratefully received by the incumbent Captain!
The Junior Section of the Golf Club has produced its fair share of accomplished golfers besides Gary Hindle. Others to have represented ELGA are Andrew Dean - who was Captain of ELGA Juniors in 2004 and Nathan Dunn who in 2004 to 06, as well as representing ELGA, has also been a member of the Lancashire County under 16 side. Some Juniors have gone on to enter the professional golf ranks. Steve Berry, who combined his professional duties with that of head green keeper. Jay Spibey (son of the Club’s Secretary Jack and his wife Jean) who is teaching professional at Moorend Golf Club and Ian Baron who had a spell as assistant to Alan Rodwell at Blackburn Golf Club. John Twissell, a past Junior Champion at the Club became professional at Clitheroe Golf Club while Ryan O’Connor is now head of Corporate Golf for the Wyatt Hotel Group.
The Seniors too have a very active section and regularly take part in matches against local Golf Clubs on a home and away basis. These have proved so popular that a “waiting list” has been introduced for those unable to make the team the first time! Their year culminates in an organised outing to a seaside links - a very popular day indeed. Two Senior Club competitions for which they play, are the Harry Park Salver and the Joe Duxbury Tankard. As well as these Club competitions the Golf Club hosts two Open Senior competitions, namely the Senior Open Mixed Greensome and the Gents Senior Open Fourball.
The successes of the various golfing sections within the Club has been well documented, but another section which enjoys enormous popularity is the Bridge Section. It was originally formed (approximately twenty years ago) by two Golf Club members who were county standard players. It was, in the beginning, formed in order to teach the game to members. However, over the years the Bridge Section has become so popular that although learners are still welcome, Monday evenings sees the Clubhouse full of enthusiastic bridge players, not just members but guests as well, who all pay “table money”. Money raised throughout the year is put to good use on behalf of the Golf Club and various projects have profited. The provision of security lights for the car park and new light fittings for the interior of the clubhouse are prime examples.
The Club celebrated its Centenary in 1996 and launched this landmark in the Club’s history by holding a “Flag Raising” ceremony at the Golf Club on the 7th January that year. The flag had been presented by a loyal member, Rex Bradley and the event was attended by the Mayor of Hyndburn. The celebrations lasted all day during which food was served, much Champagne was consumed and members were entertained by a concert brass band playing “easy listening” music.
At the 1996 Annual Dinner of the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs, held at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Southport, Great Harwood Golf Club was represented by the Centenary Captain, Ian Holt and the then Secretary, Alan Clewer. During the course of the evening the Captain was presented with a Royal Crown Derby commemorative plate by the Chairman of the English Golf Union Executive, J.B. Flanders Esq. This plate is now on display in the trophy cabinet as is a similar commemorative plate presented by the ELGU to the Centenary Lady Captain, Jean Wood.
The Annual Dinner dance that year was held at the Stirk House Hotel when the guest of honour was Jack Simmons MBE, a former well known Lancashire County cricketer, Great Harwood Town footballer and now the President of Lancashire County Cricket Club.
Another social highlight of that year was the entertainment provided by the famous Lancashire folk group, the Houghton Weavers.
Many celebrities have played golf at Great Harwood, among them the comedian Dickie Henderson and the key board player of the Peddlers, Roy Philips - who played with the then Secretary, Ken Hindle, most Saturday mornings. He was appearing at the Cavendish nightclub in Blackburn. But the most famous one of all was Donald Peers (of “By A Babbling Brook” fame). He was resident artist at the Ace of Spades nightclub in Whalley and became a regular on the course, playing off a five handicap. He donated a trophy for the Ladies Section when he left the area.
1987 saw some of the world’s finest snooker players at the Club. Eric Parke was Captain at that time and was the Tournament Manager for E J Riley the famous snooker table manufacturers and he used his influence to attract a number of well known snooker celebrities to take part in a Pro-Am Tournament. Among those playing that day were, Willie Thorne, Terry Griffiths and Dennis Taylor. Signed photographs from a number of these snooker stars are to be seen in the snooker room.
