JOHN Coates, one of Stamford Golf Club’s longest-standing members, has scored a hole-in-one at the age of 81.
The ace came at the 10th hole Booths as John, a member for 57 years, holed from 165 yards at the par three.
“It was about 165 yards and, because it was a windy day and I am getting older, I used a driver,” he explained.
John was playing in a friendly match alongside good friends George Mackey and Malcolm Wrigley.
It was John’s third hole-in-one, the first achieved long ago on holiday in Majorca.
“I met a friend by chance. He was going for a round and I decided to join him,” he said.
The second was in a club competition at Stamford at the 18th holes which is now the 11th on the remodelled course.
John, who lives in Dukinfield, plays off 18, having been as low as six in his heyday.
In his younger days, John was a keen footballer playing in the Stalybridge Amateur League and a cricketer for Stayley and later for Hadfield St Andrews.
A batsman and occasional bowler, John recalled playing a Tanner Cup tie in the 1960s against Delph, whose professional was the late Sonny Ramadhin.
• Past lady captain Judith Whitehead has presented a cheque for £1,095.50 to Willow Wood Hospice, her chosen charity during her year in office.
The singles competition in DENTON’S Winter League is set for a grandstand finish.
Mark Riding leads the way in the standings with 117 points from second-placed Amir Mazir (115) and Guy Hamer (111). There is a gap to Mark Alexander (87) in fourth place.
Amir Nazir and David Sibanda (118) have established a decent advantage at the top of the pairs event from second-placed Gary Yates and Stephen Armstrong (96). In third place are David Garner and Dean Murray (81).
The Seniors’ Winter League has been completed with John Watson (83pts) crowned the winner from runner-up Chris Unsworth (73).
STAMFORD’S Winter League is back up and running after four consecutive events were lost to bad weather.
Week 15’s singles Stableford was won by Steve Smith (42pts) from Joe Martin (41) who was second on the card from Matthew Merson.
Matt Stuart (45) headed week 16 from second-placed Lewis Daniel (43).
The week 17 victor was Nicholas Rabbeth (41) from Chris Waine (40) who was second on the card from Regan Glaister and Andrew Blinston.
That left a three-way tie at the top with 273 points.
Chris Exton is in possession of the yellow jersey on the card from father-and-on Terry and Matthew Merson who are second and third respectively.