Driving force in women's golf is honoured with blue plaque tribute

Lilian Saatweber was born in Stretford and was the first ever captain of Manchester Ladies Golf Club.

The unveiling ceremony, teed up by Trafford Council’s Local Studies team, took place on Thursday on the 110th anniversary of Lilian’s death.

Cllr Cath Hynes, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, gave a speech at the unveiling. She said:

“Trafford is renowned for its sporting heritage and Lilian is a big part of that.

“It was a great honour to be able to pay tribute to an amazing trailblazer in women’s sport. Lilian was largely responsible for making the women’s part of Manchester Golf Club a success, so it is fantastic we are able to honour her in this way.

“Woman have played such a massive role throughout Trafford’s history and our Local Studies’ Trailblazing Women of Trafford series is a great way of highlighting the important work they have done for our borough.

“There is still a fair way to go but hopefully we’re on course to unveiling more blue plaques paying tribute to amazing women of Trafford.”

Lilian Russell Saatweber (1864-1914) was one of the first women in Manchester to take up the game. Trafford Golf Club opened in 1891 and she formally opened the clubhouse when her husband Gustav, was Captain.

Lillian then became Captain at Timperley Golf Club in 1899 and was also a member of Lytham St Anne’s Golf Club.

As well as being the first Captain of Manchester Ladies Golf Club, she was also elected Honorary Secretary, a position she held until her death. Lillian was largely responsible for making the women’s part of the Club a success. In 1912, she was made an honorary life member of Manchester Golf Club, in recognition of her valuable service.

Lilian lived in several Stretford properties during her life which have all now been demolished. Her last residence was on Kings Avenue, just a short walk away from where UA92 resides today.

For more information on the Trailblazing Women of Trafford series, visit the Trafford Council Local Studies’ website.