Club tribute

An honour guard of past Captains from Knaresborough Golf Club paid silent tribute to one of their former colleagues when the hearse bearing his coffin arrived at Stonefall cemetery and crematorium in Harrogate.

The ex-Captains acted after learning that Covid restrictions prevented their attending the church service for Keith Helsby at St Peter’s and the Chapel at the crematorium the following day.

Mr Helsby died on April 20 aged 82 after a long illness.

First joining the Club in 1974, he moved to Kendal then Otley with his job as manager at the Yorkshire Bank. He rejoined the club in 1992 and became President three years later.

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“He is remembered most importantly for the work he did on the club committee and then as Captain in 1980 at a time when the golf club faced momentous challenges,” said spokesman Mike McKay.

“A large part of its rented land had been handed back to the owner who wanted to sell mineral extraction rights to a major excavating company.

The club’s future was in the balance and Mr Helsby was among those who fought to secure its status after prolonged negotiations which led to the creation of the now fully-owned Knaresborough golf course.”

Mr Helsvby is survived by his wife Wendy, two sons and five grandchildren.

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