Longstanding St Enodoc Golf Club member Derek Kingsbury celebrated his 100th birthday last week with a golf day over the club’s second course, the Holywell, followed by a party in the clubhouse for family, friends and fellow members.
Over 70 players teed it up over the layout, the original nine holes of which were designed by 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 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 4,082-yard Holywell course at least two or three times a week, albeit in a buggy, with friends and family. He joined St Enodoc in 1987 and was elected captain in 1999, aged 74, serving in the role all the way through to the celebrations to mark the year 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,’ commented 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 we are delighted that he chose to celebrate his special day with golf over the Holywell and a party in the clubhouse.”