July 2025 - Jon Gidney confirmed as an Honorary Life Member (HLM) of Church Stretton Golf Club

I first took up golf at Church Stretton Golf Club back in 1999, playing alongside my dad and with friends, creating many lasting memories on the spectacular golf course. I remain grateful for the support that I received from the club, as a junior and adult, over many years.

During the 2006/2007 season the club recognised my contributions by awarding me Honorary Life Membership. This was a kind and meaningful gesture.

As Club Manager James Townsend once wrote:

“Jon has done fantastically well for the Club and for himself. His performances help to put Church Stretton on the national and international maps of the golfing world.”

That level of encouragement and support was greatly appreciated on the back of my achievements at the time and my loyalty to the club.

However, after raising genuine concerns about some incidents of age discrimination and harassment  in 2015, my HLM status was suddenly, and unfairly, disputed by certain individuals at the club. Shortly afterwards in 2016, some of those individuals then tried to unfairly exclude me from playing golf at the club altogether - even though I’ve always offered to pay full membership fees despite being an HLM, and there had never been any misconduct on my part whatsoever.

While life isn’t always fair, I believe it’s sometimes right to stand up when faced with clear injustice, not only for yourself, but also for others, and this was one of those scenarios. I’m proud to have taken reasonable and proportionate steps to defend myself since 2015, and I’m grateful for the progress that’s already been made.

Thanks to everyone who has shown me support:

- Friends, fellow golfers, and supporters on social media.

- Legal professionals who have assisted me.

- West Mercia Police, who issued a formal caution to a club member for harassment against me and some of my family.

- To my iPhone for capturing some of the real-life abuse I experienced. This has enabled people and authorities to see the truth of what’s happened.

- To The Golf Trust for acknowledging the discrimination against my son.

- To the NSPCC, and to the DCMS for your support and guidance too.

Being made an HLM was never something I sought or needed, but once awarded, it should be treated with respect, not weaponised or disputed as a form of retaliation in conjunction with attempts to unfairly exclude me from participating in golf at the club.

Sadly, a small number of individuals connected to the club continue to act in a hostile and vindictive way, not just towards me, but also towards some of my family and supporters.

They are currently trying to ban me, and a supporter of mine, from the club, for life. There's still no misconduct from me whatsoever. My 6 year old son is also being treated very unfairly by some people at the club.

The club manager has stated in writing:

“He took the club to a tribunal. That’s what he did wrong… A ban is a ban.”

The club manager also stated, again in writing that:

"How can you say Jonathan did nothing wrong. He had taken legal action against the golf club. What do you think was going to happen after that."

This type of retaliatory mindset has no place in sport. No golfer should be punished for raising legitimate concerns about discrimination or safeguarding, or for taking legal action because of it. I hope that one day this culture can change, and that all golfers, regardless of age, background, or experience, can enjoy the game in an environment that is fair, inclusive, and respectful.

Sadly I have also been unfairly excluded from participating in SHUGC events since 2023 after speaking out truthfully about the discrimination and abuse that I've experienced, to defend myself and others.. Again no misconduct from me whatsoever that could justify this exclusion. The Secretary, Treasurer, Welfare Officer at SHUGC (all the same person) has been personally involved in some incidents at CSGC which I raised concerns about.

Thank you to England Golf for warning that individual for some of his unacceptable conduct towards me, and also for not endorsing SHUGC's decision to exclude me from participating.

I will continue to speak up, not only for my own family, but for others who may be affected by similar treatment. 

If you are also facing unfair treatment and would like to connect, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you,

Jon Gidney

(Pictured below with my son in Church Stretton. I look forward to enjoying golf together again with my son at Church Stretton Golf Club, when it’s safe and welcoming for us to do so.)

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Some reflections from golfers at the Club;

“I remember when you were awarded honorary life membership.”

- Former Club Captain

“Jon, I admire you for not tolerating the clear and obvious bullying you’ve experienced at our club. Hopefully one day those responsible will change their actions for the better as they are letting our club down.”

- Former Committee Member

“I was shocked to learn how you’ve been treated. My contact with you was always positive. You were a real asset to the club.” (sent via email to Jon in 2016 after he was unfairly excluded)

- Club Member

"I was bitterly sorry to get a copy of the communication to all members regarding your position.

I know nothing of the background to this from either side, nor had heard any rumours/ gossip, so it came 

out of the blue. I can only say that it is a great shame that events should have come to this, and such a 

breakdown in communications. I was and still am a great admirer of you and your golf"

- Former Club Member