102-year-old golfer still plays Deanwood Park Golf Club every week

One of Newbury’s oldest residents still manages to get in a round of golf every week.

Jim Dearlove turned 102 earlier this month and every Tuesday afternoon – weather permitting – he plays at Deanwood Park Golf Club with three of his friends, Tom Darling, 97, Cliff Reeve, 88 and Ian McDougall, 83.

The total combined age of the four ball is 370 and when they’re not out on the Stockcross course playing together, they can often be found in the club house putting the world to rights.

Mr Dearlove said: “For years we have had Wednesday and Friday matches, Friday’s being seniors, and you get drawn with various people.

“When Covid came along that upset everything, but from that we slotted together as a four.”

He was a 14-handicap player in his prime, but Mr Dearlove jokingly said of his current ability: “Now I’m about 114!

“We really don’t play very well I’ve got to be honest, but we get out there, we wave a stick about and we are able to enjoy ourselves.

“We hit the odd good shot and everybody applauds. It’s just good fun out in the fresh air with a bit of socialising.”

Mr Dearlove has been playing at Deanwood for 18 years now since moving to Newbury from Honiton in Devon.

“It’s a beautiful course, just right,” he added. “Certainly it’s very comfortable as you get older I can assure you.”

He lives in a flat by himself off the Andover Road and his daughter lives next door.

“She helps me a bit but I’m fairly independent,” he said. “I like to feel that way if I can.”