Yorkshire golf: Huddersfield GC's Alex Keighley to become first woman PGA regional captain

Keighley, who was nominated at the PGA in Yorkshire annual meeting, said: "I was asked a couple of days before and I was delighted to accept.

"I enjoy being a club pro and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Keighley had an impressive amateur career ahead of joining the paid ranks in 2003, representing Great Britain & Ireland and playing in the Ladies British Open, which she considers her finest achievements.

She is also a director of TGI Golfer Partnership and at 34 is understood to be the youngest professional in PGA in England and Wales (North) to take on the captaincy, succeeding Hawarden's Alex Rowland next March.

"It's a bit different so I'll see how I handle it," she said.

She jumped at the chance of taking over as head professional at Huddersfield from Paul Carman in 2012, having worked as his assistant for nine years.

She was originally a member of Lightcliffe GC and among her other playing successes were winning the English Under-21 Strokeplay and English Mid-Amateur championships prior to embarking on a six-year spell on the professional circuit.

"I didn't make much money, but I had a great time," she recalled. "It's a tough industry, but I gained a lot from it as well as during my amateur days so I felt I had sufficient experience to teach.

"I don't miss playing - it's a bit of a 'been there, done that' situation, but being a PGA professional intrigues me and I absolutely love it."