A member of a golf club in Cornwall, Derek Kingsbury, has celebrated his 100th birthday with a golf day.
The longstanding St Enodoc member played on the club’s second course, the Holywell, and then partied in the clubhouse with family, friends and fellow members.
Over 70 players teed it up over the layout, the original nine holes of which were designed by prominent architect James Braid, after a shotgun start.
Amongst others, Derek was supported by St Enodoc’s youngest member, six-year-old Louis Westlake, with the 94-year age gap a wonderful reminder of how golf brings together generations.
Louis comes from a strong golfing family with a long tradition of association with the club as both his grandfather, John, and his father, Mark, are members at the north Cornish club.
The golf was followed by Champagne and canapés whilst a party in the clubhouse that evening was attended by 100 people for a buffet meal and dancing to The Gershwin Gang, one of Derek’s favourite local bands.
Derek regularly plays St Enodoc’s second course at least two or three times a week, albeit in a buggy, with friends and family which perhaps explains his youthful looks with many fellow members convinced that he must be much younger.
He joined St Enodoc back in 1987 and was elected captain over the Millennium aged 74 years, taking office in 1999 all the way through to the celebrations to mark 2000 at the historic club.
“When I first came across Derek, he was so lively and youthful looking that I thought he must be in his 70s perhaps 80s so was amazed when I was informed he was almost 100,” comments George Tunbridge, general manager at St Enodoc Golf Club. “His energy and enthusiasm is contagious and he is certainly a living example of how golf is good for you and quite clearly extends your life.
“On behalf of St Enodoc Golf Club, I congratulate Derek on his 100th birthday and are delighted that he chose to celebrate his special day with golf over the Holywell and a party in the clubhouse.”
St Enodoc Golf Club, established back in 1890, is home to one of England’s finest championship links, the Church Course, as well as the shorter, less demanding Holywell Course.
Designed by the legendary James Braid, the Church Course is famed for its characteristic fairway undulations and firm greens, this breathtaking links is set against the backdrop of some of the greatest sea and estuary views of any course in the world.
St Enodoc boasts spectacular panoramas of the North Atlantic Ocean and the Camel Estuary from every hole that offer drama and a sense of tranquillity. It is highly regarded and regularly features high in golf rankings compiled by the golfing media.
The shorter Holywell Course is ideal for a quick round of holiday golf, also with some fantastic sea views, as a full 18 takes under three hours to play. It is also quite obviously the perfect course for seniors whilst it is also popular with juniors, beginners and higher-handicap golfers.
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