Meet the oldest swingers in town!

CLUBBING together . . . back row, from left, Geoff Woodhead, Norman Chidgey, Charles Barnes, Jack Halkyard, Eric Entwistle, Bernard Woodhead, captain, Arthur Fancy, David Sykes, Frank Read, Jack Green. Front, from left, Charles Robinson, Harry Briggs, Harold Hawkins, Walter Greenwood and Harry Wrigley. Pic: Vincent Brown

THEY’VE clocked up centuries of sporting prowess between them but golf is keeping these octogenarians evergreen.

Saddleworth Golf Club held a celebration to mark the fact it has 15 members who are over 80-years-old — including an impressive 10 who are still playing.

They gathered at the Uppermill Club to enjoy a meal and raise a toast to their longevity.

They included many former captains and presidents and an impressive sporting pedigree — having achieved low handicaps and many a hole in one.

Club captain Bernard Woodhead, who organised the event, said: “I think it’s very unusual to have so many players over 80. In my captaincy year I wanted to bring them all together. It’s great to see them play.”

As the pensioners discussed birdies and eagles, and cast thoughts of bogies to one side, it was noted that in their youth it was rare to see a golfer at such an age.

So the gathering seems proof that not only are people living longer and staying active, but that golf is far more than a good walk ruined but a drive to a fit and healthy life.

“There was nobody playing golf over 80 when I started,” said life member Geoff Woodhead MBE, who was captain in 1971, president in 1981, and also served as secretary. He won the vice-captain’s prize in 1958, wrote the club’s centenary book and had six holes in one.

Mr Woodhead (86), from Greenfield, joined in 1956 and only stopped four years ago after out-living his playing partners.

He said: “I gave up not for physical reasons but because the three people I played with all popped off and left me looking for fresh partners, which I did not feel inclined to do.

“I was an all-rounder who played rugby, cricket, badminton, tennis and I boxed. But I had an illness and was in hospital for some time and when I came out I could not play these other sports so I started playing golf in 1953. I never quite got the handicap down to single figures, the lowest I got to was 10.”

He is now involved with Uppermill Museum but still visits the club and is involved in its running.

Tales from the locker room
Harry Wrigley, president in 2003, recently hit the headlines when he proved you’re never too old to succeed by hitting a stunning hole in one at the age of 80.

“That gave me quite a boost and keeps me going,” he said. “I’m playing with a bit more enthusiasm now.”

A member for 45 years, he was hit by the golfing bug when a holiday at St Annes coincided with British Open and he bumped into golfing legend Henry Cotton at his hotel. He watched the tournament and was keen to tee off.

He added: “I saw a player hit the ball onto the green and it spun back and I thought it was marvellous and from then on I have been playing golf.”




David Sykes (80), from Mossley, is the longest serving member after clocking up 59 years. The life member was captain in 1981 and president in 2002, winning the President’s Prize in 1952 and the Ladcastle Prize in 1967.



His father bought him membership and a set of clubs for his 21st birthday and he loved it — getting down to a seven handicap. He hasn’t played for three years but only because he doesn’t like the earlier tee off times.

“I was quite good at one stage before I got married,” he quipped.




Life member and 1977 captain, Arthur Fancy (86), from Uppermill, (best handicap six) has played for more than 50 years, since being invited to Mossley’s Stamford Golf Course even though he had never played before.



He said: “I had a hip replacement 12 months ago so I haven’t played a lot of golf since, but I’m looking to start again proper. I’m only a spring chicken.”




Harold Hawkins, president in 1986, has played for 50 years and got his handicap down to 14.



“I enjoy the fresh air and it keeps you fit,” he said, adding jokingly: “It’s a long walk when we play. It’s only three miles but with all our zig-zagging it’s 12 miles.”




Jack Halkyard (80), from Uppermill, once got his handicap down to 12 and was president in 1987.



He said: “I started in 1970. Football and cricket had gone by the wayside and I was stuck for occupying myself and got into golf, which has been the best thing since sliced bread.

“I’m really pleased with the course and the views are out of this world.”




Jack Green, from Dobcross, (best handicap 15) got involved through work and has played for 30 years. He said: “You get to our age and you need that extra bit of energy-sapping exercise.”






Also still playing are life member and 1991 president Eric Entwistle; Charles Barnes, Norman Chidgey, Harry Briggs and Walter Greenwood.



The other members include 1979 captain and 1998 president Hoppy Morgan, 1994 captain Charles Robinson and Frank Read, a captain in 1966, president in 1980 and secretary in 1963.