MAD ABOUT GOLF: PLAY IT AGAIN SAM

For eight years, Sam Birchall has been doing something that most of us will never achieve. The 84-year-old has been playing to – or beating – his age almost every time he tees it up. “The first time I played to my age was when I was 76 and I’ve been playing to it ever since,” Birchall told Golf Australia magazine. The 12-handicapper plays most of his golf at Boomerang Farm Golf Club on the Gold Coast. But he was born in Manchester, England, in 1935. Birchall enjoys two competitive rounds every week – and he is gifted a golf ball by men’s captain Roger Blackford whenever he shoots better than his age, which he believes could be around 30 or 40 times in recent years. “Roger always says, ‘I’ve got to order more balls’,”

Birchall laughed.

“This wasn’t a goal of mine, it just happened. But now it’s something more because they’ve made a big thing of it at the golf club, because every time I play to my age, I get mentioned, so it motivates me.”

Birchall, affectionately referred to as ‘Slammin’ Sammy’ by the members at Boomerang Farm, is often asked what his secret is, to which he replies: “practice.”

“If I’ve got problems with my swing, I go on YouTube and it comes up with all these people telling you what to do and how to fix it … Then I go to the driving range and practice,” said Birchall, who recently shot 75 off the stick.

The former streetmason and tank driver came to Australia in 1970. He has played golf for over 40 years – with only two lessons – and has made six holes-in-one.

“I’m pretty fit, so hopefully I can keep doing this for a few more years,” Birchall said.

Are you mad about golf, or do you know someone who is? If you have a story to tell, email us at golf@golfaustralia.com.au