Playing with the right spirit

BARRY LEWIS: likes to hand out whisky in celebration of a player’s birdie.

GOLF:

MEET THE CAPTAINS: Oldham
BARRY Lewis is following in his big brother’s buggy tracks as captain of Oldham Golf Club.

Three years his junior at 40, Barry has taken over from sibling Martin and is determined to make it a memorable tenure at the Lees New Road course.

The seven-handicapper took up golf before he entered his teens — and he didn’t have far to travel if he fancied a game in those days.

A pupil at the former Hartshead School, Ashton Golf Club was just a firmly-struck eight-iron away.

He spent eight years at Todmorden, before switching to Oldham in 1999.

The owner of Reel Appeal Ltd in Lees — the company produces self-adhesive labels and leaflet labels — he sees golf as a fun way to relax.

The recently-installed captain and his pals have a special way to celebrate if one of the group has a particularly good hole.

Barry explained: “I carry a small bottle of whisky in my bag and if one of us has a birdie, I tend to get it out to celebrate.

“I always make sure none of us are driving home, before I ask!”

Barry’s chosen charity is Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, who cared for Terry Kelly, captain of the club in 2008, up to his death in November, 2011.