New honour for Felicity
13 July 2005

English champion Felicity Johnson has been made an honorary life member at her club, Harborne in Warwickshire.

The honour came as a complete surprise to the 18-year-old, who has just returned from Sweden where she helped England win the silver medal in the European Ladies’ Team Championship.

“I knew there was going to be a presentation at the club but I didn’t know they were going to make me an honorary life member,” she said.

“It’s a nice bonus and a reward for winning the English championship. It doesn’t happen very often and I’m honoured to be given this, especially at such a young age.”

She is only the second woman to receive the honour at the club, following Jean Evans (nee Roberts) who won the English championship in 1962 as a 19-year-old.

Felicity started playing golf when she was five and joined Harborne at the age of 11, when she wanted to get a handicap.

“The club have always been great to me. Whenever I have needed anything they have always been there to help. I couldn’t ask for more,” she said.

Ladies captain Val Orton said: “The whole club is very proud of Felicity. It’s not just the ladies’ section, the men are all thrilled to bits as well.”

She remembers Felicity’s first outing on the tough, hilly course, when the 11-year-old showed her potential by playing the back nine holes in 45 shots. “It was there, then,” said Val.

Felicity has twice been ladies’ champion at the club, the first time as a 13-year-old, and has been a regular for Harborne in the Warwickshire team championship. Her stepfather, Paul, is the club professional.

She’s taking a break from playing golf this week to watch the action at The Open at St Andrew’s. Next week she plays for Great Britain & Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy matches against the Continent of Europe in France.

Felicity is a member of ELGA’s Sport England, lottery-funded World Class training programme.

Felicity Johnson