Shrewsbury Royal Charity

The new Captains at Shrewsbury Golf Club have nominated The Princess Royal Hospital’s (PRH) Neonatal Unit in Telford as their charity for the year.

The Captain Nick Baker, Lady Captain Tina Robinson, and Junior Captain Joe Sherratt decided to support the hospital unit that works to provide the highest standard of care for premature and ill babies. Some years separate charities are selected, but this year all three Captains have elected to support the Neonatal Unit, which is at the Shropshire Women and Children’s Centre at PRH.

Lynn Atkin, Lead Nurse for the Women and Children’s Care Group at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said: “We are delighted that Shrewsbury Golf Club has chosen to support us this year. We care for pre-term and ill babies, so often the technology we use is very expensive, for example, from incubators to machines that deliver vital fluids and nutrients, machines which cool our babies plus equipment to support babies breathing. The funds raised by Shrewsbury Golf Club this year will be very welcome and help to support the care our staff provide to our pre-term babies. We look forward to meeting the Golf Club team and are most grateful for their support.”

Nick Baker is this year’s Men’s Captain and is a paramedic with the Ambulance Service in Shropshire. He joined Shrewsbury Golf Club in 2001 and will enjoy being Captain while he celebrates his 50th Birthday.

“I began playing golf in 1996 when some friends I played Cricket with invited me to try the game and I’ve always enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to playing golf with many people in the club this year and encouraging people to come and try the game,” says Nick.

Junior Captain, Joe Sherratt, is sixteen years old and studying at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College. He began playing at Shrewsbury Golf Club just four years ago and now plays off a 10 handicap.

“I am looking forward to putting together a strong junior team to play in this year’s Handicap League. This is a national competition and the finalists play on a golf course abroad. I’m hoping our team will be one of those finalists. I’m also hoping we can get many more juniors interested in playing golf,” says Joe.

Tina Robinson, Lady Captain began playing golf in 1989 and joined Shrewsbury Golf Club in 2008. Tina is keen to create opportunities for Ladies and Men to play in a range of competitions together.

“Traditionally men and Ladies play most of their competitions separately, but the English Golf Union is laying foundations for more mixed competitions and opportunities for men and ladies to play golf together. Golf is becoming much more of a family game and I’m keen to see many more competitions where ladies and men’s golf is integrated,” explains Tina.

All three Captains have elected to support the Neonatal Unit raising money throughout the year through golf competitions and a range of other social activities

“One of my grandchildren was born prematurely and would not be alive without the care she had from a neonatal unit. Today she is a very healthy 2 year old. As this year’s Captains we want to ensure that our local neonatal unit at PRH has what it needs to look after the young babies and new parents,” reveals Tina.

Shrewsbury Golf Club is looking forward to an enjoyable year of golf welcoming new members and people keen to take up golf.