DAVID Fletcher has maintained a long family tradition after being named the new captain of Helsby Golf Club.

Helsby was founded 109 years ago and it is the first time the son of a former captain has also become captain.

The golf roots go deep in the Fletcher family. David’s father captained the club about 40 years ago, his mother was a lady captain while his grandmother was also a member of the club.

David, an accountant, also used to play hockey for Deeside Ramblers, rugby and squash.

The traditional captain’s fundraising efforts will go towards the highly-successful Helsby Powered Wheelchair Appeal, which has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to provide chairs for children with special needs.

The fund recently presented its 281st chair to a young person from Bromborough.

David, who has been playing golf for more than 50 years, finished his year as captain-elect by firing a hole-in-one in the club’s final competition of the term. It was his second ace, following one on the same hole about 15 years ago.

“So the signs are looking good for the year ahead,” he said.

Vivien Nagle has become Helsby’s new lady captain. She played netball for Vale Royal in the Warrington League for about 25 years before taking up golf, joining Helsby in the mid-1990s.

Vivien has her name on the honours boards at Helsby, who she represents in the West Cheshire League, and she is on the club’s Powered Wheelchair Appeal Committee.

She works at a primary school in Weaverham and her chosen charity for her year in office is Dementia UK and, specifically, to get Admiral Nurses in the Cheshire area. The nurses support the families of those who suffer from dementia.