BOB Oag confessed to keep surprising himself after creating history at Stamford by becoming, at the age of 80, the oldest player to win a golf major.
And it was by some distance as the previous record holder was Jack Glaister who was a mere 65 years old.
Bob’s victory – his third major triumph – came in the Centenary Vase after a fabulous eight-under-par nett 62.
Indeed, he could well have shot below 60 but for a triple-bogey six on the par three final hole.
“I thought I had blown it at the last,” he admitted.
“At my age when I go out it is to relax and enjoy the game. I knew I was on for a very good score and the last hole got to me.”
Bob’s two previous major victories have been in the Hyde Trophy.
“This is the real major and the one I wanted to win,” he continued.
Bob had been a member at Stamford since 1992 and he conceded his only regret was taking up the golf so late.
“I was aged 52 but wish I had taken it up when I was 12,” he said.
Bob explained he was unable to afford golf earlier and had to wait until his children had grown up.
He had been heavily involved at the club having been a former captain, greens’ chairman and junior organiser.
Indeed, in 2010 Bob and wife Christina created club history by being captain and lady captain in the same year.
While Christina no longer plays, Bob is usually out of the fairways three days each week, occasionally four times.
He puts his longevity to keeping on the go as, apart from golf, he walks his dog every day, enjoys gardening and does exercises to keep his body supple.
Bob, who lives at Blackrock, Mossley, earlier used to help train fighters at Mossley Boxing Club with boxing his other sporting love.
Bob’s return of 88-26-62 saw his handicap reduced by four shots to 22 – he has been as low
as 15.
Runner-up was David Cheadle (79-15-64) on the card from third-placed Kevin Duffy (69-5-64) and Trevor Hulton (85-21-64). Fifth was Barry Stokes (83-18-65).