The inspirational 98-year-old Leeds golfer and the 16-year-old rising star at Sand Moor Golf Club in Alwoodley

The youngest and oldest playing lady members of a Leeds golf club are an inspiration to golfers of all ages, says their club captain.
Myfanwy Wigdahl, 98.
Photo: Simon Hulme.Myfanwy Wigdahl, 98.
Photo: Simon Hulme.
Myfanwy Wigdahl, 98. Photo: Simon Hulme.

Great grandmother Myfanwy Wigdahl, 98, of Adel has been a member of Alwoodley's Sand Moor Golf Club for 70 years and still plays a few holes every week.

And 16-year-old Lily Dunn, of Bramhope, who has a handicap of 14, has been playing golf since she was nine-years-old and is a rising star at the club.

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Myfanwy - known to friends as Myf - was a lorry driver in the The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during the Second World War and was stationed in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Myfanwy Wigdahl, 98, and 16-year-old Lily Dunn.Myfanwy Wigdahl, 98, and 16-year-old Lily Dunn.
Myfanwy Wigdahl, 98, and 16-year-old Lily Dunn.

She and her late husband Alan moved to Leeds in the late 1940s and joined Roundhay Golf Club.

Myf's son Gareth said: "She played with her husband and her social life revolved around the golf club.

"In 1950 they both joined Sand Moor. She was both rabbits Captain and Lady Captain and won at least six or seven major club trophies.

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"My mum knows many people at the club but sadly a lot of her very good friends have passed away.

Sand Moor Golf Club assistant professional Toni-Louise Naylor (left) with Myfanwy Wigdahl, Lily Dunn and lady captain Sue McMeeking. Photo: Simon Hulme.Sand Moor Golf Club assistant professional Toni-Louise Naylor (left) with Myfanwy Wigdahl, Lily Dunn and lady captain Sue McMeeking. Photo: Simon Hulme.
Sand Moor Golf Club assistant professional Toni-Louise Naylor (left) with Myfanwy Wigdahl, Lily Dunn and lady captain Sue McMeeking. Photo: Simon Hulme.

"She now plays around five to seven holes of golf twice a week, weather permitting.

"She says keeping fit and having her regular gin and tonic at 5pm each day is vital to staying alive."

Myf, who was born in Anglesey, said: "I love playing and I've really enjoyed my time at Sand Moor.

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"I lost my husband nearly 11 years ago. The ladies at Sand Moor are wonderful and are really supportive, it has been a godsend."

Otley Prince Henry's School student Lily was junior captain in 2019 and helped win the Leeds and District Team contest.

Lily said: "We have got a very strong junior section and the club really contributes to looking after the juniors and making sure we are having fun."

Sue McMeeking, lady captain at Sand Moor, said: "We have a proud tradition of supporting lady golfers, whether they are new to the game, or have many years of experience.

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"Myf has been a member for over 70 years and still plays a few holes every week.

"She meets friends for lunch and a chat, even when the weather is not conducive to being out on the course.

"She is an inspiration. She's a great character and is full of energy.

"At the other end of the spectrum is Lily, who is 16 and a regular golfer.

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" Lily has an enviably good handicap of 14 and works at trying to improve by playing in as many competitions as she can. Lily also helps with junior coaching.

"Golf is a great way of keeping fit, meeting friends and having fun.

"In these difficult times it is also a safe sport, as social distancing is easy."

Lily's dad Paul is junior organiser at Sand Moor, which has more than 30 junior members.

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Paul said the junior golf sections at both Sand Moor and Moortown clubs are thriving.

Earlier this month, the Moortown Sand Moor Junior Trophy - which was first played for in 1951 - was once again up for grabs.

It had not been contested for since 2016 as both clubs did not previously have enough young players to get teams together.

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