NEWPORT Golf Club have unveiled their first ever woman Club Captain.

Sian Martin, 60, who is also Ladies Captain, fills the void left by Mike Sage who quit midway through the 2014 season having succeeded Nigel Castle.

Sian has been a club member for 15 years and follows in the footsteps of husband Robert, who was Club Captain back in 2012.

“I’m very proud to be the first lady Club Captain,” she said, who plays off a 26 handicap.

“It’s a very traditional club so it might surprise some, but I’ve had a lot of support and everyone has been great, so that makes it very special.

“It came about with the club going through a number of structural changes and I was approached having been retired about two years from senior management in the health service – where I was involved in quite a lot of change projects.

“As Ladies Captain, I’ve been very involved – particularly at county level – and knew a lot of people so I suppose that made the decision a bit easier.”

Sian also said she is looking forward to what 2015 has in store – both and off the course.

She continued: “There’s an exciting year ahead. We’re obviously focusing on the golf and we have a good calender as far as that’s concerned.

“We’re also trying to engage more people in playing mixed golf as well as focusing on our thriving junior and ladies sections.

“The other main thing is supporting the structural changes that are going to be coming into the club and that’s the big challenge of the year.

“Given the responsibilities of a captain, it’s easier if you are retired and have more time to put in.

“But the changes that are being proposed to Newport – that we’re going to be voting on in the summer – would make that role more appealing.

“It would more of a sort of figurehead role, rather than being involved in the business side and running of the club.

“There are lots of exciting things going on and I really look forward to taking the club into a new era.”