Last Wednesday's Masher's Roll Up competition at Axe Cliff Golf Club was very special as it was also long- standing Senior Doug Sinton's 90th birthday and some 24 of us turned up to mainly celebrate with Doug.
It was decided to send Doug out with our youngest player on the day, Dan Hellier, aged 19, and he managed to keep up with Doug who, remarkably, still walks around with his electric trolley. Malcolm Glass and I came behind them and we were driving buggies as we are both 80 in the Summer but we could not keep up with them.
Doug was born in Hammersmith, London, and still remembers the Blitz especially the Doodlebugs. He joined Axe Cliff in 2008 when he moved to Seaton with his wife and they will celebrate their 66th anniversary at the end of this month. They have two sons, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He has been playing golf since 1955 after retiring from football as a speedy right and left winger. He learnt how to play left footed after injuring his right knee. Apparently has has been a QPR supporter since 1946.
I asked him if he could give any advice to others on how to still be playing golf at aged 90. "Dont die," he replied! It must have helped that the only time he has had to go to hospital was to stop a continuous nose bleed.
To return to golf I am delighted to report that he was our winner on the day with a fantastic score of 44 points which is some eight shots better than his handicap. He deserved his slice of cake and coffee when back in the clubhouse. The nearest players to him were Richard Chambers and Mike Chadwick on 39 points apiece.
I will tell you more about our golf next week as I would like to finish with one of Doug's own ditties ;
" This World is full of Mysteries
And here is one of those
How do people who bite their nails
Manage to pick their nose "
Many congratulations Doug from all at Axe Cliff... and please keep entertaining us.
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