Is there any golfer in the Midlands who has been a member at a club for as long as Jean has at Wrekin Golf Club? Phil and Mandy from the magazine went along to the Shropshire club for a chat in April.
It was right at the end of the Second World War when Jean Barrowclough, aged 11 picked up a few clubs from her father and joined him on the Wrekin fairways, becoming the club’s first ever junior girl member in 1945. She’s been a member ever since and walks the course with her pals (and defeats them!) for 11 holes every Tuesday at the ripe young age of 91. Not only that, when we spoke to her at the club in April, Jean had just been roped into playing in the club’s 2025 mixed knockout with the captain. With one condition attached, “I’ll need a buggy to play all 18,” she quipped.
Jean has been a member for two-thirds of Wrekin’s existence and Wrekin is one of Shropshire’s elder clubs (1905.) Her grandfather was a founder member so golfing always ran in the family. Ironically, although Jean played and practiced at the club in the early days, she had her lessons on the Welsh links of Borth GC during family summer holidays.
Those who know the history of the club will recall that the clubhouse used to be situated at the bottom of the hill and the course was a straight up and down challenge. That all changed when the M54 was built in 1975, the course had a re-route and the existing clubhouse was situated further up, where it is today. Jean recalls those early days well and the toll the initial climb took on golfers. “Dad and his mates smoked, they all did in those days – but none of them ever lit up until they got to the fifth tee!”
Under the title Miss J Sharpe, Jean has her name etched from the earliest years of the ladies trophy boards at the club, confirming a competitive edge to her game that hasn’t left her to this very day.
She had a break from regular playing in the late 50s and early 60s when her three children came along,but remained as a member.
She was soon back golfing again and competing too, dropping her handicap to it’s lowest point at 7 and becoming a regular county golf player for many years. Not a huge achievement according to Jean who modestly added it was needs much as much as anything. Shropshire’s current ladies scene is vibrant compared to the 60s/70s and 80s. “We were very short of players, we’re not a big county, very few clubs in those days. It was only ourselves, Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury and Shifnal we could get players from really.”
Jean met her late husband John at the golf club but his interest in the game waned during a mixed event with his wife, when between them they managed to have a disastrous putting nightmare on the 17th, costing them what should have been a comfortable victory.
“I don’t think I shall ever play golf again, I’ll go back to motor-racing,” were John’s words following the mishap. He was as good as them too.
But there was never any stopping Jean, who keeps the family ties strong to this very day by regularly accompanying her grandsons, 23-year-old William Barton and his brother George (25) on the course.
Asked what gives her the motivation to continue playing into her 90s at Wrekin, Jean, now handicap 36, said simply – “my friends, being competitive and still winning!” On the adjoining table, her fellow competitor friends on hearing her say that, gave us a collection of knowing nods. The confirmation if it was ever needed that even after 80+ years she’s still a tough nut to crack! Keep on golfing Jean.
