I joined Coulsdon Court Vets in early 2023 and was immediately struck by the warm and friendly atmosphere within the club. After retiring from work in the same year, I found myself able to become more actively involved. It quickly became clear to me that the club is not only inclusive but also great fun, which certainly made embracing retirement remarkably easy.
My passion for golf began in the early 1980s, initially playing alongside my father-in-law and later joining the Post Office Society. Having spent nearly 27 years working night shifts, most of my rounds were with the Post Office Society. This experience has made me especially appreciative of the unique welcome and supportive environment that Coulsdon Court Vets offers its members.
I have been genuinely impressed by how well the club is managed. It was an honour to be asked by Roger to serve as his vice-captain in 2025. I hope that I have been able to provide him with the support he needed throughout what was a very successful year for him. Roger has set a high standard, but I am looking forward to taking on the challenge as captain in 2026.
Among my personal achievements, aside from marrying my wife Kim and becoming a father to our son and daughter, one special moment stands out: getting a hole in one. It was a first for me and, I suspect, a rare feat not to be repeated any time soon!
While I greatly enjoy playing golf and socialising with fellow golfers, I am also an enthusiastic spectator of football, rugby, and virtually any sport involving a ball – and even those that do not.
Having found such fulfilment in retirement, I wanted to support a local cause as captain. I have therefore chosen the ‘Old Coulsdon Centre for the Retired’ as my charity for the year. The centre has unfortunately lost its council funding and now relies solely on donations and fundraising efforts. I hope you will agree that this is a cause well worth supporting.