Stuart Mills was the proudest father at Leighton Buzzard golf club when son George won the May Medal at the Plantation Road club, beating 118 other competitors.
A month later, Stuart is even happier – he’s just been named Vice Captain Elect to succeed his proposer Tim Mitchell when he takes over from current Club Captain Graham Freer in January.
Says Stuart, a 15-handicapper who joined the Leighton club eight years ago: “Leighton’s a great club, friendly and sociable with a challenging course in great condition. I am really looking forward to supporting Tim next year and helping the club and its members as it prepares for its Centenary in 2025.”
While banker Tim is from the North East, Stuart, 54, a chartered surveyor with a private London-based company before joining the Canal and River Trust in 1990, hails from the North West.
A native of Northwich in Cheshire, Stuart was a keen cricketer before hanging up his wicket-keeping gloves and bat in 2000, but remains a keen follower of the sport and supporter of Manchester City football club.
Stuart joined the Canal and River Trust in 1990, was appointed a Director in 2008 and moved to Leighton Buzzard two years later. He is currently the Chief Investment Officer for the charity.
Wife Claire works for the John Lewis Partnership; son George, 22, a former Vandyke student is now completing his studies at University College, London, while daughter Immogen, 17, is studying for her A-levels at Vandyke and works part-time in the golf club halfway-house at weekends.

Ratification of Stuart’s nomination as Vice Captain will be formally sought at the club AGM in early January.
Fire-fighter Gareth Mccready won his first competition since joining the Leighton club seven years ago carding 44 points to win the June Midweek stableford by three points. Gareth, 48, who played at Mentmore before it closed, had his 6-handicap clipped to 4.6 after beating former Leighton Buzzard Observer journalist Mike J Smith for top spot, with Geoff Smith third with 39 points. Other leading scores in a 95-strong field were: 38pts – Steve Shepherd, Ian Kempsell; 37pts – Steve Light, Mark Vincent; 36pts – Dharm Naveen Diwaker, Alan Ward, Lee Harnett.

Tom Davis, Brian Jones, Peter Myrants and Charlie Thompson teamed up to win Leighton’s Texas Scramble, beating Adam Bather, Martin Flynn, Carl Mcdougall and Alex Sandham on countback after both teams finished with nett 51. Third were Paul Ahmet, David Bishop, Nigel Chapman and Keith Griffiths, beating five other teams finishing with a nett 52.
Lila Garrod won Leighton Ladies June stableford with a 41 point haul, beating Ladies Captain Lelsley Bednarek by a shot, with Marilyn Myatt on countback. Other leading scores were: 37pts – Christine Bateman; 36pts – Sandra Bellis, Barbara Rickard; 34pts – Sandra Carter, Val Brown, Sue Preston, Pam Stannard, Jill Nutkins. The Ladies nine-hold competition was won by Val J Smith with 21 points, four clear of Ann Gray with Margaret Browning third.

Leighton club President Trevor Stimpson won the Rushmere Society White Trophy at Harewood Downs on Thursday with 39 points, a shot clear of David Richardson with Phil Rickard third with 35 points.