NGL Dinner

John Pearson marked his last official engagement as County Secretary by hosting the NGL Dinner at Kettering GC towards the start of March.

Pearson, who is retiring after 23 years in the role, had mixed emotions about giving up the role but says the circumstances are right to hand over the reins as he looks to spend more time with his family.

He said: “To some extent I’ll be sorry to see it go because it’s been a pleasure. It’s been lovely to work with the people and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. But I’m now 83 years of age and it was time I stepped aside.

“It was a very tough decision because I’ve loved doing it. It’s been great – the best bit about the job is that it’s my hobby as well, so it was never a hassle to get up in the morning and go to work.

“The NGL Dinner is the perfect way to finish because, to the best of my knowledge, our dinner is the only truly open to men and women equally – you won’t find that in the other counties.

“We were the first County Golf Union to merge the men’s and ladies governing bodies. Although we wanted to do it, we were a little apprehensive about how it would turn out, but it has been great. I’m pleased that it has definitely worked.”