It’s often said that behind every good man there is a good woman.

Well the men at Painswick Golf Club – and the ladies for that matter – have been very lucky in recent times because the club have got a first-rate secretary in Ann Smith.

The 72-year-old only took up the sport at the back end of the last century, but has certainly made her presence felt both on and off the course over the past 20 years or so.

She has had almost as many roles as there are clubs in her bag when she goes round a course which enjoys wonderful views over Slad Valley.

“I hadn’t been playing for much more than 18 months when I first became ladies’ captain,” said Ann. “That was in 2001 and I was captain again some 10 years later. I started playing golf quite late.”

And while she may only have taken up the sport in her mid-50s, she’s certainly made up for lost time by throwing herself into all things Painswick Golf Club.

“I’ve been on the executive committee since 2005,” she said, “some kind gentleman recommended me! And I’ve been secretary for a fair few years. I like to be involved.”

It was a friend who first got Ann involved in her golf. “She invited me along and I took to it,” Ann said very matter-of-factly.

These days she plays off 34, although a foot injury has restricted the amount of time she has been spending on the course in recent months.

“Painswick isn’t an easy course to play,” said Ann. “It’s hilly but it’s a challenge not to be missed. It’s a Marmite course, you love it or you hate it.”

Ann, whose handicap has been down to 27 in the past, falls into the former category, of course, and it’s not just the greens and fairways that are so appealing to her.

“I love the club,” she said. “We’re a small club but the people are nice and everyone gets on. I like that because I’m a people person.”