A father and son have made history by becoming the first family pairing to hold the president and captain positions at an East Lancashire golf club.
Ian Nuttall, 61, has been the president of Accrington & District Golf Club (A&DGC) since early last year, holding the role for a two-year stint.
Ian, from Oswaldtwistle, has been playing the links at Accrington & District since he was 13 and now his son, Chris, 35, will be joining him in the top ranks of the historic club.
Chris will take over as captain of the club on January 17, giving him a year at the helm alongside the man who introduced him to the game.
Chris said: “It’s a major honour for me. I’ve been a member since I was eight and to be the captain is a massive honour.
“It [being alongside my dad] makes it even more special really. It’s creating a piece of history and to do it as dad and lad is going to make it even better.”
Ian added: “It’s absolutely brilliant. You don’t dream of these things because it doesn’t happen.
“It all came out this time last year when I was inaugurated as president for a two-year spell. At the same meeting, the new incoming captain announces their captain elect.
“To my surprise, it was my son.”
An accomplished golfer, Chris, who plays with a handicap of +2, has played as part of the A&DGC junior team and has previously been the junior captain.
He currently plays for the club’s A team and plays and represents East Lancashire Golf Association.
Chris has also won the Harold Ryder Trophy two years in a row, 2021 and 2022.
This is a rare feat of father and son being club figureheads at the same time, with Chris saying “we’ve never heard of any club where this has happened.”
He also praised other members of the club, saying: “Accrington is renowned for having a nice clubhouse environment. It’s really warm and welcoming. People up there are nice and friendly.”
The club has been in existence since 1893, with the current course laid out with the help of legendary player and architect James Braid.
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