GB&I Curtis Cup manager passes away
Sue Turner, the manager of the Great Britain & Ireland team for this year’s Curtis Cup match, died yesterday aged 50 after battling illness since last autumn.
Having played golf for Wales at girls’ level, then representing her country in the Home Internationals of 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991 and 1994, but it was in her roles of team captain and manager that she will be best remembered.
She is without doubt the most successful captain of the Welsh ladies’ international team, a position she held until her death, having masterminded successive Home Internationals victories in 2008 and 2009.
Her reputation as a highly-respected and very effective player motivator brought her to the attention of the LGU, resulting in an invitation in 2007 to Captain the five-strong GB&I team for the quadrennial Five Nations (former Commonwealth) Trophy Tournament in South Africa. Unsurprisingly, she led her players to victory against teams from Australia, Canada, New Zealand & South Africa.
With a passion for developing young players, she was delighted to have the opportunity to Captain the GB&I under-16 girls team in the inaugural Junior Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe last June at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in her native Wales.
At the time of her death, she was still fully committed to team golf, serving as manager of the GB&I team which is due to play in the 37th Curtis Cup match against the United States at The Nairn Golf Club from 8 to 10 June this year.
Alison White, The R&A’s Assistant Director - Golf Development, said: “Sue‘s death is a huge loss not only for women’s golf but for the wider sport in Great Britain, Ireland and Europe. She brought a passion and enthusiasm to her many roles that was passed on to everyone she worked with.
“There are many players who have gone onto excel in both the amateur and professional ranks who owe a debt of gratitude to Sue for the time and effort she put into making sure they realised their full potential. I am sure she will be at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts at the Curtis Cup in Nairn this June.”
She is survived by her husband, Mike, and daughter, Lottie.
