CONCERN has been raised that a candidate for an esteemed position at a golf club is a convicted dangerous driver who caused serious injuries in a head-on crash.

Banned driver Rosemary Saunders, 70, has been proposed to become Ulverston Golf Club’s future Lady Captain.

The announcement, which is set to be decided at the club’s next AGM, sparked concern due to Mrs Saunders’ dangerous driving conviction in February.

The judge handed Saunders a 12 month sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered her to pay £5,000 compensation and £340 costs.

She also banned her from driving for two years and ordered her to take an extended retest before she gets behind the wheel again.

An ex-member of the club voiced their concern about the prospective candidate becoming Lady Captain, describing it as an ‘affront to members’.

They said: “Members at Ulverston Golf Club are very concerned that their future Lady Captain will be, potentially, Rosemary Saunders. Having a captain at this prestigious club, who has a criminal record, and an active sentence in place, is an affront to the members and of great concern.”

Mrs Saunders, who currently serves as the club’s Lady Vice Captain, was at the wheel of her Nissan Leaf when she collided with a Vauxhall Astra on the right hand side of the A5087 Coast Road at Bardsea on December 9 2019.

Driver Russell Leach and his father Alfred Leach were both seriously injured in the crash and were taken to hospital for treatment.

At the scene, close to the Old Mill pub, Saunders apologised to the two men, saying: “I’m so sorry. It is my fault. I’ve just come back from holiday and forgot we drive on the left hand side of the road.”

Russell Leach suffered three cracked ribs, injuries to his knee and ankle and needed to use a walking stick for three months.

Ulverston Golf Club declined to make a comment. The Mail also attempted to contact Mrs Saunders for comment.