Honorary Life President: Derek Holden

Derek Holden was born in Southport, educated at King George V School, and joined Hesketh Golf Club in 1950.  He became the Club’s youngest captain in 1967 and was invited to be captain again in 1985, the Club’s centenary year. He served on the Council for fifteen consecutive years, five years as Chairman, and in 1989 was honoured with Life Membership, to be followed by Honorary Life Presidency in 2006.  Having been proposed by Arnold Bentley, he was delighted when, in 1982, he was accepted for membership of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.  He was elected President of the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs in 1997 and has served on their Executive ever since.
A keen amateur photographer, he has taken many of the photographs that record the history of the golf club, some of which are to be seen in various locations within the clubhouse. 
In 2012 he played an important role in launching a successful appeal to acquire what had become known as the Hitler Trophy, probably the most important artifact in the history of Hesketh Golf Club.

  Gentlemen's Captain: Melvyn B. Kamel

Melvyn was born in 1958 and was the second to youngest of six boys.  He grew up in Maghull and started his education at Hudson Junior School, before moving to Summerhill Junior School and later moving on to Deyes Lane Secondary School where he met his wife Gill.

On leaving school he started work in the family fruit and vegetable business working on import and export, before settling into a career in the financial sector where he remains to this day.

Business ventures led to Melvyn and his wife Gill travelling the world on business, which they both found most enjoyable.

Melvyn married Gill in 1977 and by 1979 their first child, Katy was born followed by, Bradley in 1982.  Melvyn and Gill now have four grandchildren, all of whom have taken up golf.

Melvyn found his love of golf at the age of 11 when he was given an old hickory shafted golf club by his father. He enjoyed playing at the time, with his friends at Bootle Golf Club, minus the hickory golf club which was swiftly replaced by a set of new Ben Sayers clubs.

Later in life he joined Shaw Hill Golf Club and then Hurlston Hall Golf Club as one of the founder members, where he developed his golfing skills and celebrated a number of golfing achievements along with some success in major competitions. In 2002 Melvyn also achieved an extremely rare feat of three holes in one over a five-month period. Melvyn spent several years on various committees at Hurlston Hall, with the highlight being club Captain in 2002.

Melvyn then moved from Hurlston Hall to the Hesketh Golf Club where he enjoys his golf more than ever and now has more time to give to the great game.

Aside from Melvyn’s obvious passion for golf he also has a huge interest in horse racing, having been a co-owner of numerous winning racehorses within multiple syndicates over a number of years.  With perhaps the most memorable moments having horses competing at Aintree, Cheltenham and Royal Ascot.

Also, over the past 15 years he has found a real passion for cooking and often entertains family and friends around the dining table.

Melvyn has no doubt that there will be many challenges in 2020 with the face of golf changing, in particular the introduction of the Worldwide Handicapping System.  But fundamentally sees the game of golf, the comradery and friendship as the overriding winner.

A list of all our previous Gentlemen's Captains is available - Please click here.

  Ladies' Captain: Dorothy J. Burns

Dorothy, one of four children, was born in Manchester and later moved to Liverpool.  She was educated at Queen Mary High School where she developed her love of team sports.  Aged 14, she gained a Liverpool Music Scholarship for the violin and became a member of the Merseyside Youth Orchestra.  She then spent three years studying at Bedford College where she gained a Teachers’ Diploma in Physical Education.

Her first post was at the Warrington High School for Girls, where she taught PE and in addition, organised skiing and hockey trips abroad.  She was immensely proud to receive an award, presented by the Grand President of the Royal Life Saving Society, Lord Mountbatten, acknowledging her contribution to the teaching of Life Saving. 

After marrying Michael they settled in Hesketh Bank, and Dorothy’s next career move was to Ormskirk Grammar School, where she became Head of Girls’ PE.  She took a short break in her career in order to have their two children, Paul and Helen. They also now have three grandsons, all very keen on sport!

Upon her return to work she was appointed to the staff at King George V College and she gained her Master of Education Degree, specialising in Information Technology.  In addition to A Level  PE,  she was then also qualified to teach Advanced Courses in IT.

Eventually, having spent the larger part of her career at the college, the time came when she decided to retire.  It was then that her attention turned to golf and she was accepted for membership of Hesketh Golf Club.

Being of a competitive nature, Dorothy soon became an active member of the ladies’ section but in addition to playing the game to a high standard, she has also undertaken various administrative roles within the Club, including Ladies’ Competitions Secretary and Handicap Team Captain.

Along with a group of friends she enjoys travelling, and has played many golf courses around the world; in Australia, South Africa, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

Dorothy is looking forward to her year in office, and encouraging our new lady members to enjoy the game of golf as much as she does.

A list of all our previous Ladies' Captains is available -  Please click here.

  Juniors' Captain: Daniel Wilson

Daniel was born in Ormskirk in 2003 and has lived in Halsall, West Lancashire all his life.

He attended Halsall St Cuthberts Church of England Primary School,  then completed his GCSEs at Ormskirk High School in May/June 2019. He is currently studying Sports and Exercise Science at Runshaw College.

Daniel joined Hesketh Golf Club in 2011 at the age of 8 and has been playing in the junior section ever since. Daniel has represented Lancashire Boys and was delighted to be part of the Hesketh Golf Club junior team that won the Southport District Golf Association junior summer league in 2019. He was also awarded the G.P.Roberts Trophy in 2019 by the SDGA for his successful golfing season. 

Daniel feels proud and honoured to represent Hesketh Golf Club as Junior Captain for 2021 and hopes to lead the junior team to another successful year in the SDGA and other events. 

A list of all our previous Juniors' Captains is available -  Please click here.

Board of Directors:

Melvyn Kamel (Gentlemen's Captain), Dorothy Burns (Ladies' Captain), Ian Garden (Chair of Board),  Jeff Cummins (Finance Director), Peter Watson (Chair of House) , Julie Scott (Chair of Handicap) ,  Andrew Lang (Chair of Greens), Graham Mayor (Green Committee), John Moss (Handicap Committee), Dave Harrison (Compliance Director), Ian Clark (Green Committee) & Meegan Switzer (House Bar, Catering & Events Director)

Greens Committee:

Andrew Lang (Chair of Greens), Ian Clark (Greens Committee), Graham Mayor (Greens Committee)

Handicap Committee:

Julie Scott (Chair of Handicap), John Moss (Handicap Committee)

House Committee: 

Peter Watson (Chair of House), Meegan Switzer (House Bar, Catering & Events Director)

Ladies' Committee:

To follow

Junior Committee:

Darren Wilson (Junior Organiser), Scott Astin (Professional), Jane Coulthard (Safeguarding Officer) & Martin Edge (Secretary/Manager)

Marketing Committee:

Martin Edge (Secretary Manager), Jeff Cummins (Finance Director)

Finance Executive:

Ian Garden (Chair of Board), Jeff Cummins (Finance Director), Peter Watson (Chair of House), Ian Clark (Greens Committee), Martin Edge (Secretary Manager)