Lillian Bennett

President 1997

Captain 1972

Champion 1965

Lilian Bennett, whose passing we mourn this week was a legend of Durham ladies’ golf. Her career included wining the ladies’ County Championship in 1965, and serving the Association both as Captain in 1972 and President in 1997. Lilian played many times for the County team and later, over 100 matches for the Durham Veterans’ team.

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The early days of DCLGA and Tyneside were of great interest to Lilian who spent much time investigating the history of the people involved and shedding light on names such as the Anderson Shield and others now remembered in our Trophies.

A member of Tyneside golf club, Lilian’s encouragement and helpfulness to players at the start of their careers was well known and very much appreciated. A born teacher, Lilian’s aim in life was to encourage and help people to succeed, whether the task was golf, bridge, or helping her grandchildren with their homework. And she was exceptionally good at it! Always determined to make the best of any problem, Lilian had the knack and ability to find a solution. When DCLGA was short of funds, she and her husband Geoff were part of the ‘Three B’s’ who made an 8mm cine film about DCLGA. They took it round many clubs in the county holding a collection each

time and raised a lot of money. When Tyneside was short of lady members, Lilian organised a recruiting scheme which ran for 2 years and produced 14 new members.

When she received a lifetime achievement award from the development group, we were told how she helped at all levels, even catering in times of need. She was very strong, quiet and determined.

Lillian was our most senior past president, a very good golfer (who played 9 holes until fairly recently), she encouraged players at all levels and she was a fierce advocate of club and team spirit.

Lilian always had a twinkle in her eye and was very good company, After so many years in the world of golf she had accumulated a wealth of funny stories which she would happily relate despite often being the butt of the joke herself. Watching a county match alongside the then President, she was astonished to see the President calmly retrieve an undergarment which had suddenly fallen round her ankles and stuff it in her pocket.

Anxious to improve her golf, Lilian went to have a lesson from a well known coaching guru but was somewhat dismayed when, having watched her hit a few shots, the guy said “you must be a very good putter!”

In recent times, Lilian continued to take an active interest in golfing affairs and despite suffering much discomfort and loss of mobility, managed to visit Tyneside in a wheelchair to celebrate her 100th Birthday, a ceremonial "opening" for the newly installed accessibility ramp. A Happy Day celebrating a full life to be treasured and remembered.

We understand that she just wanted a small family funeral with no flowers.