BIRCHWOOD Golf Club has a new initiative to get more women involved with the game.

The club will hold a free taster day for women on Monday, May 8, between 1 and 3pm, with anyone interested in learning more about getting involved in the game encouraged to attend.

New Lady captain Denise Earlam said: “We are looking forward to welcoming ladies to our taster day and them becoming part of Birchwood Golf Club, learning the sometimes frustrating game of golf, enjoying making new friends and the social side of our club.”

Denise has a sporting history prior to golf.

The former police officer, who served for 30 years around Warrington and other parts of Cheshire, took up judo aged 11 and was a black belt at 16, going on to represent the North West and Great Britain.

In 1976 she joined the police and represented the force in a number of sports.

She won the police women's national judo title in her weight category and was a member of the national life-saving team winners.

She retired in 2006 and has since devoted her time to golf and charity fundraising.

This year, hers and the men's captain's chosen charities are St Roccos Hospice and The National Society for Autism.

Meanwhile, Birchwood’s Phil Archer has made the quarter-finals of the Manchester and District Alliance Scratch Knock Out.

He faces Ellesmere’s Anthony Millar, while Lymm’s Graham Cox takes on Dave Smith of Swinton Park.