FORMER ELGA CHAIRMAN DIES

CATHERINE BENN PASSES AWAY AT 95

Mrs Catherine Benn MBE, chairman of ELGA in 1976, died on Sunday at Aldeburgh in Suffolk. She was 95.
Mrs Benn, a founder member of the Women’s Voluntary Service, took up golf with great gusto after World War II. She learned the game in her home county of Surrey from the Ryder Cup player Bill Cox and became a single-figure handicapper.
She was closely involved with ladies’ golf in Surrey and was a vice-president and honorary life member of the county golf association.
During her golfing career Mrs Benn was ladies’ captain at three clubs: Tandridge in Surrey, Royal Wimbledon in London and Aldeburgh, where she was also an honorary life member.
She had huge enthusiasm for golf and used to "bribe" her son, James, and daughter, Elizabeth, to listen to her recounting a round, shot by shot.
The fee was a silver threepenny bit for each hole. Her children complained they had to run to keep up with her on the golf course as, with her long legs, she strode out at a rapid pace.
She boasted of winning a medal at Royal Wimbledon in 2¼ hours - later admitting it was always much quicker playing with a caddie than when pulling a trolley!
Mrs Benn, who lived in Aldeburgh for the last 30 years, gave up golf when she was about 80 but continued to take a keen interest in the ladies’ game until her death. She leaves her daughter and son, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
The funeral will take place at St Peter and St Paul, Aldeburgh, on Monday, January 23 at 12 noon.