Wolstanton Golf Club in North Staffordshire is mourning the loss of Les Hancock who was Junior Organiser at the club for more than 50 years.
Les, who started his role as junior organiser in 1967, introduced more than 3,000 juniors to golf during his time. A number of the juniors introduced by Les represented their county and their country at elite amateur level, with Rob Maxfield, Paul Sweetsur and David Walley all representing England, while Sam Burks played for Wales. Many of Les’s graduates went on to become club officials, including his son Neil, who is this year’s club president, while the club’s PGA Professional, Nigel Onions, was also one of Les’s junior protégés.
In recognition of the work Les did for Junior golf, the late Queen awarded him with a British Empire Medal. Staffordshire Golf made Les a vice president of the county and in 2015 he was awarded the Golf Foundation’s most prestigious award, the Henry Cotton Award.
Les was given the honour of being President in Wolstanton Golf Club’s centenary year in 2004 and the club lounge was named The Les Hancock Lounge.
Neil Hancock, Club President, commented: “Dad has been an inspiration to so many juniors at our club. Every Sunday he would take out the very young juniors who were new to golf, giving his time freely to encourage them into the game. My family and I are so proud of everything dad did for our club and the game.”
Robert Maxfield, the outgoing PGA Chief Executive, commented: “Our game is so blessed to have people like Les that give up their time to encourage youngsters to take up our game. To carry out the role for 50 years is incredible and Wolstanton Golf Club owes Les a huge debt of gratitude.
Brendon Pyle, Golf Foundation Chief Executive, added: “I met Les at the 2015 Golf Foundation Awards, and I was delighted he was awarded the Henry Cotton Award. Les was a real gentleman who gave up so much of his time to support junior golf. My condolences go to Les’s family and all at Wolstanton Golf Club for their loss.”